Smithsonian Institution Libraries Gift of DR. FREDERICK M. BAYER ~ im ewan. : ri. Ng ays Eton ee ciate Be, a 7, ; : : 75 a as os 4 i v3 - : Oe o ame iat i eo ’ _ oo . ' a), ae fant Tee Sanaa) (7 an ae “Tt a & Ris ec ons Oy ewe | ru JP a ; a ’ : - ah eee iar Oxe 7 Le a 7 J : . i = 7 7” ds he ; x i a 1 _ > ine "ih er SN eh « “ J) | | zee = a =" oa ans hee aan Aes Pe : 1 : > : = i “e Aes - SaTes i ae ; if ; i \ | ao vb oy _{ Ve yh | ear Pi | ae : > Poe ay : j wei « yy j 7 i it % i Va ent ta teas i Mi : ae Le oy a : : : var eae 1 oa ae Pry. a oC iene - | eee Oa hinue le re Nay: ie =a 4 : 1 te ithatt ” a » SE 8 Ago) hs of ‘ ; mo 4 ; ’ a ae ve i} ) erm) +) % mes & AIT ful > I ay, a an vy oa rh) ot aes Ee tes ty o gil Pyrgus tessellata. ‘ ; : . : ; ‘ 3 ‘ : : « Li2 Eudamus proteus . : : : : : : : : : ‘ 5 alga} Eudamus lycidas. Upper side. : : : i : F : : : . 174 Eudamus lycidas. Under side. ; : ‘ ‘ : ; : : 5 ats) Eudamus pylades . : : : : ; : ; : ‘ . : So Eudamus bathylus . : ; : : : : : : : : é : 5 128 Ancyloxypha numitor . : ; : ‘ : : , ; : : : a alee) Larva of Lycena . : : : : : ; : : ; : ; 5 lees) Lycena pseudargiolus. Fig. 1. Male. : ; i ; : . 180 Lycena pseudargiolus. Under side. Fig. 2. Male . : 3 : ; . 180 Lycena pseudargiolus. Under side. Fig. 5. Male . ; 5 , , : a dlteie Lycena pseudargiolus. Under side. Fig.4. Male . : : 5 : esi Lycena pseudargiolus. Fig.5. Female. : : : . : 5 key Lycena pseudargiolus. Under side. Fig. 6. Female i : : : : . 182 Lycena pseudargiolus. Fig. 7. Male 5 : : : : : ; : . 183 Lycena pseudargiolus. Under side. Fig. 8. Male . ‘ ; ; : . 185 Lyceena pseudargiolus. Fig.9. Female. : : ; ; : : . 183 Lycena comyntas. Male. : : : i : : : : ‘ ; . 184 Lycena comyntas. Under side. : ‘ : : : : : : ; eld Lycena comyntas. Female . ‘ F ‘ : : : : : : . 185 Chrysophanus hypopleas, var. —. ‘ : ; : ‘ : ; : 5 keith Chrysophanus thoe. Male . : : : : ; F : : : . 188 Chrysophanus thoe. Underside . 5 ; : : : ; : . 188 Chrysophanus thoe. Female : : : : ; : : : . 189 Feniseca tarquinius : 3 ‘ : : : ; : ; 5 . 190 Feniseca tarquinius. Under side . : : : ‘ : ; 2 19L Thecla halesus ‘ : : : , : F : : : : 3 . 193 Thecla halesus. Female : ; ‘ : ; : : : ; : : . 194 Thecla halesus. Female. Under side : ; ; 3 ; ; ‘ . 194 Thecla smilacis : : : : ; : : ; : 2 : ; 5 195 Thecla smilacis. Under side é : : : : ; ; ; : : . 196 vill Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla Thecla LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS. peas : . poas. Under side ‘alanus , calanus. Under side edwardsii : edwardsii. Under side strigosa strigosa. Under side humuli 5 ; humuli. Under side . titus F titus. Under side IUSies : F irus. Under side niphon Thecla niphon. Under side . Thecla augustus. : : Thecla augustus. Under side Larva of Satyrus Chrysalis of Satyrus Chionobas semidez : ; ; Chionobas semidea. Under side Satyrus alope. Male Satyrus alope. Male Satyrus alope. Female Satyrus alope. Albino . Satyrus nephele : Satyrus nephele. Under side Neonympha canthus. Male . Neonympha canthus. Male . : 2 Neonympha canthus. Male. Under side Neonympha canthus. Female : Neonympha canthus. Female. Under side Neonympha gemma. Upper and under side Neonympha sosybius. Upper and under side Debis portlandia ; Debis portlandia. Under side Paphia troglodyta. Male Paphia troglodyta. Female . : Larva of Apatura Apatura clyton. Male . Apatura clyton. Female Apatura clyton. Male. Under side. Apatura clyton. Dimorphic form Chrysalis of Apatura clyton . Apatura celtis. Male : Apatura celtis. Male. Under side Apatura flora . Apatura alicia : Limenitis ursula. Male Limenitis ursula. Female PAGE 197 197 198 199 200 201 202 202 203 203 204 205 206 206 207 207 208 208 210 210 211 211 212 213 213 214 215 216 Path 218 218 219 bo bo bo bo bo OC) wNwWmWNwN = Seoan Pr Ww vw wy) oO WY bo bo bo & t W LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS. Limenitis. Hybrid. Male : Limenitis. Hybrid. Male. Under side Limenitis. Hybrid. Female Larva of Limenitis ursula Chrysalis of Limenitis ursula Chrysalis of Limenitis arthemis Limenitis arthemis. Male Limenitis arthemis. Female Limenitis disippus. Male Limenitis disippus. Female. Limenitis eros : : : : Victorina steneles. Upper and under side Ageronia ferona : : Ageronia ferona. Under side Ageronia fornax. Upper and under side Hypolimnas misippus. Male : Hypolimnas misippus. Male. Under side . Hypolimnas misippus. Female : Hypolimnas misippus. Female. Under side Timetes petreus ; : : Timetes petreus. Under side Timetes coresia. Male . Timetes chiron : 5 ; Timetes chiron. Under side . Callicore clymena . ‘ Callicore clymena. Under side Eunica monimna. : : Eunica monima. Under side Eurema lethe . : Eurema lethe. Under side Anartia jatrophe. Male Anartia jatrophe. Female Anartia jatrophe. Under side. : : : : : Junonia genoveva. Male : Junonia genoveva. Male. Under side Junonia genoveva. Female . Chrysalis of Pyrameis Pyrameis huntera : Pyrameis huntera. Under side Chrysalis of Vanessa Grapta interrogationis Grapta interrogationis Grapta interrogationis . : ‘ Grapta interrogationis. Under side Grapta comma : . : Grapta comma. Under side . Grapta comma 5 : Grapta comma. Under side . Grapta comma. Under side . : : Grapta faunus : : ; Grapta faunus. Under side wo we bw Nore © bo Go bo om oi wm wns Ww wb bw oes (nS (iio (Lo (Coe (a fia (iC ft (CS ts Dat | bo =I) J iw) x Grapta progne Grapta progne. Grapta j-album Grapta j-album. Grapta j-album. Grapta gracilis Grapta gracilis. Melitea phaeton Melitea phaeton Argynnis idalia. Argynnis idalia. Argynnis diana. Argynnis diana. Argynnis cybele. Argynnis cybele. LIST OF Under side . Under side Under side. Under side . Male and female Under side TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS. Male. Upper and under side . Female Male Female Colenis julia. Upper and under side Colenis delila Larva of Danais archippus Chrysalis of Danais archippus Danais berenice. Danais stigosa Eumenia atala Eumenia atala. Colias philodice. Colias philodice. Colias philodice. Upper and under side Under side . Male Female Female. Albino Colias eurytheme. Male Colias eurytheme. Female. Meganostoma ceesonia Meganostoma cesonia. Gonepteryx clorinde. Gonepteryx merula Callidryas eubule. Male Callidryas eubule. Female . Chrysalis of Callidryas eubule Callidryas philea Callidryas cipris. Pieris oleracea Pieris oleracea. Pieris protodice. Pieris protodice. Pieris protodice. Under side Upper and under side Upper and under side Callidryas philea. Under side Callidryas argante : Callidryas argante. Under side Under side . Male Male. Under side. : ; Female Terias nicippe. Male Terias nicippe. Male. Under side Female : Female. lerias nicippe. eryk tee at Terias nicippe. Perias jucunda Perias proterpia Under side PAGE 278 278 279 279 280 281 281 283 283 285 287 289 291 292 293 297 299 300 300 303 305 306 307 309 309 310 310 311 311 312 3138 315 316 317 317 318 319 321 322 322 324 324 325 325 326 326 327 327 328 328 029 LIST OF TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS. xe PAGE Anthocharis olympia : : : : : : . 3 . 330 Anthocharis olympia. Underside. F ‘ : : : : : : Pool Anthocharis genutia —. : ; . : : ; : : : : : 7338 Anthocharis genutia. Under side : : : 2 : : : ; : 5 op} Anthocharis genutia. Female. : : F : ; : : : . 80% Parnassus clodius . : ; : 3 ‘ ‘ : . : : ‘ : 5 BBY Metamorphosis of Papilio. : ; : : : : : ; ; : . 33 Papilio glaucus : : 3 : : 4 : : ; : : : : 5 opts) Papilio glaucus. Under side : : : ‘ : 5 : : : i moon Papilio rutulus é : , ; : ; i ; : ‘ : : 3 a OB Papilio daunus : : : : om Papilio ajax. Early spring form : ‘ : ; : : ; : : . 3840 Papilio ajax. Late Spring and Summer forms . 5 : : 7 ; : . 341 Chrysalis of Papilio ajax : F ‘ ; : : ‘ : : : : . 3843 Larva and chrysalis of Papilio cresphontes . : ‘ : 3 : : : . 344 Papilio thoas . ‘ é . i 2 2 : : ; ; : : : . 345 ?apilio thoas. Under side. 3 , : : j , : : : ; . 346 Papilio asterias. Male . : : ; : : : : : : ; . 3848 Papilio asterias. Female. ‘ : ; : : : é : : . 349 Papilio zolicaon . 5 F ; : E : 3 5 : . : : . 9d0 Larva of Papilio troilus ‘ : : : : : é 5 : : 5 ai) Chrysalis of Papilio troilus . : : : : : : ; 5 Bil Papilio palamedes ; : ; : ; ‘ : : : ‘ : . 3538 Papilio palamedes. Under side. : : : : : : . 354 Larva and chrysalis of Papilio philenor : F : : : : : . 365 Papilio polydamas. : : : : 5 : ‘ ‘ : : . Bd5 OF Papilio polydamas. Under side . : ; : : : : ; é . 906 LIST OF COLORED PLATES. TRANSFERS FROM LIFE. PYRAMEIS CARDUI EUDAMUS TITYRUS CHRYSOPHANUS HYPOPL.-BAS CHRYSOPHANUS THOE CHRYSOPHANUS EPIXANTHE LIBYTHZA BACHMANNI SATYRUS ALOPE NEONYMPHA EURYTHRIS PAPHIA TROGLODYTA APATURA CLYTON LIMENITIS DISIPPUS JUNONIA CCNIA PYRAMEIS ATALANTA PYRAMEIS HUNTERA VANESSA ANTIOPA VANESSA MILBERTI. GRAPTA INTERROGATIONIS GRAPTA COMMA GRAPTA J-ALBUM PHYCIODES THAROS . ARGYNNIS IDALIA ARGYNNIS CYBELE ARGYNNIS APHRODITE ARGYNNIS MYRINA . ARGYNNIS BELLONA FACING PAGE Fron tispiece 174 186 188 192 208 TA iy 216 226 228 240 262 264 268 2 LIST OF COLORED PLATES. PAGE EUPTOIETA CLAUDIA 296 AGRAULIS VANILLZE : ; ; : ; ; 3 . 296 DANAIS ARCHIPPUS . : : ; : 3 : ; . 93800 HELICONIA CHARITONIA . : ‘ ; : ; F . 306 COLLAS PHILODICE . ; 4 . : ‘ : ‘ 2 308 CoLIAS EURYTHEME ; ; : : 5 ; ; oko MEGANOSTOMA CASSONIA. ; : : ; : : sy GONEPTERYX MERULA . : ; ; : , 3 . ol4 GONEPTERYX CLORINDE . , : ‘ ; 5 ; ay vould! CALLIDRYAS EUBELE : : : , ; : . 4 Ble CALLIDRYAS AGARITHE Boe PIERIS RAPA . ; ; : : : E , : 5. Beet TERIAS NICIPPE ; : : : : é : i fel PAPILIO TURNUS' . ; ; ; : ; ; f © 306 PAPTIO ATAX. ; : : P ; : : : eee PAPILIO ASTERIAS . ; : ‘ ; , E . 848 PAPILIO TROILUS . F ; : E : ‘ : oon PAPILIO PHILENOR . ; : : : : : F 5 al CONTENTS. Rhopalocera. The Butterflies Hesperidx Lycenide Satyride Nymphalid Papilionidx RHOPALOCERA THE BUTTERFLIES 164 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. SUB-ORDER RHOPALOCERA. The Butterfles. THE hard and fast lines fixed by naturalists do not really exist in Nature. As daylight blends into darkness and night again into day, or as the colors of the rainbow softly shade into one another, the violet into the blue, and the blue into the green, etc., so the different groups of insects pass by almost insensible gradations one into another. The most noticeable difference between the moths and butterflies is in the shape of the antenne, being nearly always pointed in the former, and blunt or knobbed at the ends in the latter. This, however, is by no means a sure guide, as many of the Sphingidie have club-shaped antenne, while the lowest group of the butterflies, the Hesperide, ave furnished with antenne having hooked extremities with acutely pointed ends. None of the butterflies have the wings joined with the loop and bristle usually foundamong the moths. ‘The butterflies are all day- flyers, thus differing in their habits in a marked degree from the majority of the moths. The surface of the eggs of butterflies is often ornamented, while the eggs of most of the moths are plain and smooth. The larvie of all butterflies, with the exception of a few of the lower species, are external feeders, and, unlike the moths, except among the Hesper- ida, they spin no cocoons, the naked chrysalis being usually suspended from a silken mat by the posterior extremity and either with or with- out a band of silk about the middle of the body. These chrysalides are of various shapes, some angular, others bearing spines and horns, while many of them are objects of extreme beauty ; as handsome as jewels and looking exactly as if embossed with gold. The chrysalis stage usually lasts about twenty days, although in a number of species the winter is passed in this stage. The butterflies, while at rest, usually hold the wings upright, back to back, while the same organs in the moths are generally folded roof-shape over the abdomen, or expanded flat upon the sup- port of the insect. In coloring, the butterflies are generally much more striking than the moths, their wings being ornamented in many a (PA j a, : Ban HESPERID ©. 165 species with bold dashes of color, lacking that soft blending so char- acteristic of most of the moths. The butterflies, too, though strong and rapid of flight many of them, have much smaller bodies generally in proportion to the size of the wings than the moths. The eyes are usually well developed, and the tongue is sufficiently long to enable the insect to extract the sweets from flowers, or sip moisture from the ground. The legs of butterflies are usually well developed, except in the Nymphalidae, where the first pair are nearly aborted. HESPERIDA. Skippers. The most moth-like of all butterflies are the Hesperide, a group containing a host of small, plain-colored insects, usually very abun- dant in our fields and meadows. These insects are stout-bodied creatures with large heads, promi- nent eyes and hooked or pointed antennie, suggesting those of the Sphinx moths, placed wide apart at their base. The palpi are thick and hairy, making them look blunt and clumsy. The lower wings, while the insects are at rest, are often spread horizontally, while the forward pair are raised nearly vertically above the back. In coloring, they are usually very plain, black, brown and tawny- yellow predominating in our native insects. A few of the tropical species, however, are gayly colored. Some of the species bear tails similar to those on the lower wings of the Papilios. The flight of these insects is rapid, but generally continued but for short distances at atime. The jerking manner of their movements, with their rest- less darting from place to place, has earned for the group the com- mon name of skippers. They are lovers of flowers, and the fields of clover, the blossoms of milkweed, elder and various lowland shrubs and plants usually swarm with them. The larva of the Hesperide is cylindrical in the middle, tapering toward both ends. It has a large head placed on a narrow neck, which gives it a most peculiar appearance. It is smooth, naked, or at the most, downy and usually of dull and sombre tints. It is solitary in its habits, and is largely a night feeder, inhabiting by day a neatly constructed nest made of silken threads inside a curled leat. When not feeding, the larva retreats into this nest, and its large, hard head acts as an operculum, completely filling the entrance and 166 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. keeping out its enemies, reminding one in this respect of the larva of some species of caddis flies. The chrysalis is smooth, shaped like Larva of Hesperide. (Eudamus tityrus.) that of a moth, and is powdered with a bluish dust. It is suspended by the tail within its thin silken cocoon, and has a thin band of silk passing around the body after the manner of the Papilionide. At the beginning of the skippers, as they are often termed, is a genus of large, powerful insects which inhabit the southern states, New Mexico and Arizona, known to entomologists by the name Megathymide, or giant skippers. In this genus the head is not so large in proportion to the rest of the body as in most of the members of this family, but the body is very stout and well supphed with muscles to work the stiff and proportionately short wings, making these insects very strong on the wing. The antennie, though fur- nished with a long curved knob, are not pointed nor recurved into a hook as in most of the Hesperide. These insects fly very rapidly, but seem as if undecided where to go, and dart first to one side and then the other, suddenly alighting, and seldom remaining more than an instant ina place. All four wings are folded vertically over the back when the insect is at rest, differing in this habit in an important degree from the majority of the skippers. The best known of this genus is Megathymus yucce, so called from the larva passing the most of its existence in the stem and root of the yucca or Spanish bayonet. The butterfly is dark umber-brown, the base and the margin of the wings being tinged with yellow. The light markings on the outer third of the upper wings are yellow. All four wings are more or less hairy next the body. The under side is much like the upper, the yellow spots being repeated beneath, but paler, while there are gray scales toward the outer portion of both sets of wings. The female is a good deal larger than her mate, measuring three inches in expanse of wing, the male being but two and one-half inches across the outstretched wings. The coloring is much the same in both sexes. I have never seen the larva or chrys- alis of this insect, and know nothing of its early life-history, taking the following interesting descriptions, with its habits, from HESPERID.&E. Kaw a quotation by Prof. G..H. French from Prof. C. V. Riley. The larva lives inside the stem and root of the yucca. The eggs, which are pale green, are deposited singly on the leaves, and when hatched the caterpillar conceals itself in a web near the tip of the young leaf. As it grows, it generally works to the base of the leaf, feeding as it goes, entering the stem when it is about one-fourth grown. The young larva is dark brick-red, with the head and top of the second segment pitchy black. The full-grown larva is two and one-half inches in length, and of a dull, translucent white covered with a white, glistening, powdery secretion of a waxy nature. The burrow made by this caterpillar often extends two feet or more below the surface of the ground. Before pupating, the larva makes a place of exit for the butterfly, lightly closing the cavity near the end. It then makes a cell sufficiently farther down to give room enough to pupate, and in this it undergoes its transformations. The perfect fly emerges in April or May. There is but one brood ina season. There are two other species of this genus found within the borders of the United States, but their hfe in the caterpillar and chrysalis state has not yet been worked out. They, doubtless, bore in the stems and roots of sub-tropical plants. Central and South America have representatives of this genus. To the genus Thanaos (Nisoniades) belong a number of widely distributed, dull brown or black insects with broad, flat wings, having a few small white dots and sometimes a row of dark purplish mark- ings on the upper wings. These insects usually appear early in the spring, and are among the first which a collector may take with the net. They are to be found along roads or paths in wooded districts, or in open spaces near woods. They delight to sport among low shrubs and bushes, and fly quite rapidly, two or three chasing each other about from bush to bush, often alighting and spreading their wings out flat, holding themselves ready to immediately take wing. They are quite pugnacious, and readily give chase to other insects that may pass their way. Great care is necessary in separating the species, as many of them resemble each other closely. Some are double-brooded, first making their appearance in April and May, and again the latter part of summer. Although so plain in coloring, these butterflies come at a time when the more attractive and larger kinds have not come forth to delight the collector. They are sufficiently numerous that one may secure perfect specimens with no great difficulty, and the most 168 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. sombre butterfly has a beauty of its own when perfect and carefully mounted. Then, too, the life-histories of many of the kinds are still unknown, and a field for investigation lies open to the student. But two only of our more common species of this genus will be described here. Thanaos brizo is very common in the eastern and middle states, being found as far west as the Rocky Mountains, and on warm sunny days in early spring may be found along roads and paths through the forests or the young growths of oak. It often alights on the ground or on low herbage. This insect is very sombre in coloring. The upper wings are dark blackish- brown, with two indistinet and ill-defined rows of dark bluish-gray Thanaos brizo. oval spots surrounded by black. The lower wings are brown, with two faint rows of yellowish-brown spots near the lower margin. Underneath, both wings have two rows of yellowish spots. Thanaos persius. Thanaos persius is ® common insect and widely distributed over the continent. The upper wings are bluish-gray, with three irregular HESPERID&. 169 rows of black triangular spots crossing them. ‘The row of spots near the outer margin is tipped externally with yellowish-brown, while the other spots are outlined with gray. ‘There are several clear white spots distributed on the wings, as shown in the illustration. The lower wings are brown with two rows of faint yellowish-brown spots near their outer margins. The body is blackish-brown. The larva feeds on willow and poplar. Pholisora eatullus. A much smaller species related to the foregoing is Pholisora catullus. In this insect the wings and body are black, or very dark blackish-brown, and the wings are unadorned, save with a line of small white spots near the apex of the fore wings. The head and palpi also have a few small white dots. This little butterfly is dis- tributed over the whole United States. In the genus Pamphila is assembled a large number of species (over one hundred being inhabitants of the United States) of small, stout-bodied butterflies, distributed over the whole continent, and often very abundant in point of number. The antennie usually end in a club with a pointed recurved tip. In coloring they are gener- ally dark brown with spots or markings of yellow or yellowish-brown. The sexes are generally separated without difficulty by the males having a strongly marked oblique brown stripe on the forward wings. These insects abound in the fields and meadows, being particularly plentiful along flowing streams where the sweets of various kinds of wild flowers tempt them to remain. In walking through the rank erasses and weeds beside a brook or pond, one may find dozens of them in June, July and August, and a large number of species may be taken in such loealities. A good many will be ruined in the net, however, as they move their wings so rapidly when captured that often- only the torn fragments of them remain when taken out. When disturbed they fly rapidly with a jerking motion, and again alight after moving but a few feet. A good many of them fall a re) {S) 170 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. prey to a yellowish-white spider, which hides among the blossoms ever ready for its unsuspecting victims, and clutches the insect sud- denly in its powerful fore legs as it works intent upon extracting honey. One may often procure fine specimens by robbing the spiders, for they do not seem to injure the appearance of the insects. The eggs of these insects are frequently pale green, of a high con- vex shape above and flattened beneath, the surface being often corru- gated or ribbed. The larvee of the Pamphila are of various subdued colors, often being pale green and are sometimes slightly downy. They feed upon grasses. The larve of a great many species are still unknown. But a few of the more common species can be illustrated in this work, as very careful descriptions and many illustrations would be necessary to enable the beginner to separate the species of insects often so closely resembling each other. Pamphila delaware. Pamphila delaware is common throughout the eastern half of the country. ‘The predominating color is brownish-yellow. The body is Pamphila mystic. dark brown, thickly covered with yellowish hairs. The fore wings have a wide band of dark brown on the outer margin, with a brown- HESPERID ©. ileal ish shade next the body. The lower wings are surrounded by a heavy border of dark brown. In Pamphila mystic, the body is dark brown, covered with yellowish hairs. The wings are reddish or brownish-yellow, with wide margins of dark brown. The dark brown markings extend along the veins across the yellowish portion, throwing them into relief. This butterfly inhabits the northeastern part of the United States. Paimphila leonardus. Pamphila leonardus inhabits the eastern part of the country, both north and south. It is a strongly marked insect, and is more easily distinguished than many of the other species which are frequently exceedingly difficult to separate. The predominating color is dark brown, with a number of clearly cut yellowish spots, their shape and distribution being clearly shown in the figure. The under side is reddish-brown, and much lighter than the upper side. The yellow spots show on both sides of the wings Pamphila peckius, A very common insect belonging to this genus, and found throughout the eastern half of the continent, is Pamphila peckius. The coloring is brown, with a yellowish cast. and a number of dull yellow spots and markings adorn both sets of wings. In the male Ney MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. insect the oblique markings on the forward wings are black, and very strongly defined. June and July are the months for the appearance of this butterfly. The largest species of the genus found in this country, Pamphila ethlius, is two inches in expanse, and blackish-brown in color, with numerous square and diamond shaped translucent whitish spots. It is said to be common in the southern states, particularly alone the Gulf, and occasionally strays even as far north as New York. I am not fortunate enough to possess a specimen of this insect. A number of skippers having antenne with spindle-shaped ends, and the ground-color of the wings brown, checkered with white spots, belong to the genus Pyrgus. Most of the species belong to the western fauna. They are easily recognized, being quite different in general appearance from the rest of our native skippers. Pyrgus tessellata, In the hot summer Pyrgus tessellata is a common insect through- out the middle west and south. I have collected specimens in Iowa and Arkansas, but in my experience it is rare in New England, although occasionally taken. This butterfly loves to flit about the crass and weeds in fields and meadows, and is particularly partial to the cleared land along rivers and small streams. It is a rapid flyer for so small an insect and is rather shy. Its colors usually harmo- hize in @ surprising manner with the surrounding dry and dusty vegetation, for it is in July and August that it is most abundant, when through the lack of rain everything in the fields is an uninter- esting grayish-brown. It frequently alights on the ground, and with its wings half-spread is not a conspicuous object. The ground-color of its wings is dark brown, the lower half of the upper wings and the inner half of the lower pair being streaked with gray hairs. A number of large and small white spots are scattered over both sets of HESPERID&. life wings, arranged as shown in the illustration. The body is slate- brown, thinly covered with gray hairs. The under side of the wings is much lighter than the upper being light yellowish-brown in irregular bars on a white ground. There is, perhaps, greater variety both in regard to shape and col- oring to be found among the different species of the genus Hudamus than in any of the other genera of the family. Many of our native species are comparatively large. measuring from one and one-half to two or more inches across the expanded wings. In this genera the antenne are bent into an acutely pointed hook. One of the largest, Eudamus proteus. and also one of the most attractive, of our native species is Hudamus proteus. This insect is two inches or more in expanse, the lower pair of wings being prolonged into tails somewhat resembling the Papilios. The upper wings are dark brown, with a number of light yellowish, translucent spots arranged in two vague rows on the outer half of the wing. The lower wings are also brown, covered on the inner half next the body with metallic-green hairs which, when the insect is alive and moving about in the sunshine, flash brillant green. The outer edges of both sets of wings are fringed with yellowish-brown, inter- rupted with black dots. The body is dark brown, clothed with green hairs. The under side of the insect is brown, mottled with darker brown. The yellowish spots are seen from below, but are less sharply 174 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. defined. This butterfly inhabits the southern states, and is some- times seen as far north as New York. It is a common insect in Florida, the larva feeding on various garden plants, such as beans, peas, cabbages, etc., and often doing considerable damage. We may often find on the locust trees the nests of the larvee of our beautiful Ludamus tityrus. These caterpillars, although often quite common, are solitary in their habits, each one making its sep- arate cell in which it resides during the daytime, coming forth to feed at mght. The caterpillar is hght green, banded across with lines of darker green, having a reddish-brown head, with two large yellow spots placed where one would expect the eyes to be. These, give the creature a very peculiar appearance. When full grown, the caterpillar spins a thin, silken cocoon, usually in a curled leaf, and attaching itself by the tail, with with the monstrous size of the head, a thread of silk about its body, undergoes its transformations. The butterfly comes forth in June and July, and is to be found about flowering shrubs and weeds in open country, being seldom seen in forests. Along brooks or the borders of ponds are favorite haunts of this butterfly. It is a rapid flyer, and is somewhat shy, although one may approach it closely if care be taken. Ihave in mind one locality near Lebanon, Ohio, where along the banks of a brook this insect was very abundant, every bunch of flowering weeds having its occupants, the bright, silvery spot on the under side of the lower wings glisten- ing as they moved about in the sunlight. This butterfly has a very wide range, being found over nearly all portions of the United States. Eudamus lycidas. Upper side. Another insect, closely resembling the preceding both in size and the coloring of the upper surface, is Eudamus lycidas. It is a little 2 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES DENTON Upper Side Unver Sipe EUDAMUS TITYRUS * HESPERID. 5 smaller than Hudamus tityrus. The general color is dark brown, with a number of angular, translucent, yellowish spots on the fore wings. The fringe along the outer edge of the fore wings is yellow- ish-brown, interrupted with black dots, that of the lower wings being gray with black points. The body is brown. The lower side of the Eudamus lycidas. Under side. butterfly is in strong contrast with the upper. The upper wings are mottled brown, lighter toward their lower margin, with a large black patch occupying the upper part of the wing next the body. A large, single yellow spot takes the place of the yellow spots seen from the upper side. The lower wings have a large black area, bordered Eudamus pylades. above and below with brown, and enclosing two or three brown spots. This occupies the upper half of the wing next the body. A patch of brown, fringed with black, occurs at the lower angle, the rest of the wing being white, streaked with fine brown markings, thickest toward the upper part. The brown of the lower wings is streaked 176 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. with darker brown. The body below is almost black, and the palpi are ovay. The habits of this insect are very like those of Hudamus tityrus, but according to my experience, it is a much rarer butterfly. I have never seen it abundant, although I have specimens from Massachusetts, Washington, D. C., and Arkansas. Eudamus pylades is «a sooty brown butterfly, with a number of small angular light spots distributed over the outer half of the forward wing. The body is darker brown than the wings. The larva feeds on clover, and the perfect insect comes forth in June. It is an inhabitant of all but the most northern part of the United States. Eudamus bathylus. Hudamus bathylus is a very similar insect in color and shape to the preceding, except that the yellow spots on the fore wings are much larger and more distinct. It is more southern in its range of territory. I have specimens from Virginia and Arkansas. Ancyloxypha numitor. A little species, belonging to this same family, but differing much in shape from those already described, is Ancylorypha numitor. In this butterfly the head is wide and large, proportionally, but the HESPERIDE. evan thorax tapers backward, and the abdomen is thin and long, contrast- ing greatly with most of the skippers. The antenne are knobbed but not pointed. The upper wings are yellowish-brown with a wide black margin. The lower wings are lighter or tan color with a heavy black border extending along the upper margin around to the inner angle and are fringed with yellow. ‘This is a very common butterfly in August over the eastern haif of the United States. It is fond of open fields, and the second crop of clover is a favorite with it. LYCAANIDE. Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks. A large number of frail but lovely little creatures comprise the great family Lycenida. Most of the species belonging to this family are small, our largest being about two inches in expanse of wing. The antenne are knobbed or clubbed, but not pointed as in the family of Hesperide, and the knob is straight. The wings are fre- quently delicate in structure and are large and flat in proportion to the body, which is slender. The thorax in a few species is robust but is generally slight. All six legs are well developed and are used in walking. The family is a very large one and insects belonging to it are to be found in almost every land. The beauty of some of the species 1s most extraordinary, comprising almost every conceivable color and shade. Many of them are metallic blue, while others are green, purple, red or golden, and some a combination of these. . % & us ne ne ae it pve Les aa i chee e mh, Rl a Ve Bu Pahie ae roe ae ne wT ay i ' e i‘ vA eile W ve eas “une ny Mi ei ; ea oo an be A ee (i : nares ar ‘ Cu aN : - if ae i eee Chae a, “ ao i" rae ‘ Lae si i Ae: ny Risin as i cayhene Ay fg ie 7 : em: Were th\) oF i) Laer Sue an ey i a ni yuah i af as a aii haan) » are yd _ ay Be: A re ~ a uy, oy a ie ue if 4 Der ae ee ory eens Vi Oats a rie 4 | ee a a te tits i a nia ’ 1 7 i By sien De Pah \ \ fay, a i. = Se ABR Sa) Ok A rr wg RNR ae LRT ES ee a eM 7 4 vice : i! my y i ae ae ae ? War Ty Me ‘ oe alee ay =f ; UF oe — ves wy: -_ hte A PEN) wilt one ee ee oe OS ng 7 " i u ~ ay wy r a - y ’ ’ ) 7 ‘a . a a mi er , ty My uF nan a ti 7 a Bi ew f if a pe Ling. | ut WA hu Seah 4 Mie Bays, ig fee MAB es An ao pt Gielen anes hia ae! i oie Sp ; eo YG ' aA ce a ; * i a, a a he vi Me ion ‘ a ; A ees Sats ae i ay _ ‘ii. een i ay vay ie 2 i ire” Ot Cae _ p ae a bie ary) " rn hh Daa! am, i Vii : i oa a rt a a, nh ee 1 ..ghiy ca : Sores r i . i et! _ a} A (ar 4 — a + ian Ve ate ee jose Hai oe J ia : ne i oe ’ : ) : : oo u ‘ Gee Cia - 5 a , i, a> Re inl 7 4 — a" : A 7 7 i aa Pig: - maak fiz "2, , fr o's q rua : tf he i 7 i : os, A V7 » = 2 Ne i 7 Z ma Pape ; iis “4 neh oe : 2a _ Pity 7 bale on a) um 5. ea ‘che , bie evi 7 aA : eo "ot = ae 97, 7 at 4 as il o ire . > ae ue 5) ‘< i: | ee r! ut Mf a ae (ie: o't a) ine bf A ’ Lees ore, a we ne ae = ig ie 7 a ae Wak ras eect : ty Oh - , = - ry v i> hk ae ae ee | wo . a ae se. 7 > Pre = Bi _ NY, : ky t > ig i io a oe mY, * 3 * : H cba wi rie - aa } aay i ‘se al os ea Me oa 7 a We Gh eh Se Nir a ne : a oa. ; an a ! eee oe : hi - » dp ' Ses? 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Mal! 8 he vy ; ; 7 ie —CS are co ¥ NES 7 7 i on - : ; ain 7 0 ES a en ae ae a 7 th : m j D i anes iain ern - igs .) Sa ‘ io ¥ . a, ; i eee a meal, | i : = nore a by ininy 1 ree Cah a ‘ : yD 4a : oy. GE Wb Se ee AMROROMT T Tg 00%) oe anes ie # : ~ "~ } YS aa. f Hae Bay rr Ai bry h , PeNtA lyk a : ah | 1" : oe : 7 WY ye ately © in Ae ae at) ‘ AZ ae ae i 70 bee een ; : an Pi ee | See sea! ‘ae a Pie dale bl a at ain on ane ae) ri 7 oy) com a. y aa Reet iit i ba Wy a ee : na . At _ i a ” 4 As oF page a, 4 rm) mul oe a 7 te j ane | Ds i, i ae fn irl ite af - i on Ai) - a Bas } ‘ : 7 rs ai 7 - 7 * : 3 Nps *. = ie \ ian qe Wi. ha oar i pee hei ME ae oy a ma a 7 ‘ian . i - ~ 7 a : A on ra 7 ia re : : ’ Your = iat na etl tee) os ‘ (e i, 7 fi A ths cn, hy it ey, % rr 7" y a i . lak mee Jae ay 7 we ae ee ti aay : nh a iy a ne i a ee . ie ish a (MNT oc a ae ‘Amey n " | \ re es). 7 -_ : 7 a. 0 a4 ‘ Tai ee Han’! Ay are te iit: wee ive aa rr \ > VS 5 iy ant aa ua he A ar a y ~ pea aro ee a af oF ‘i M eae Ns i <= i - 4 _ ih af ue ; 4 ud wi * eM : _ hes iie (nt hs an) ee en i tae tl ik Le a iV ses wis aay ae +) | : 4 wy. et Vis, elk \ hia aie a . ee Ss " ae pas Bear tcnih vhs). Ne man : ec ee a ‘58 de As Mae i ae os c - ace “ae at, : d a : ae Hale pie he hae ie aay 7: 404 pp tin ae ny oe val rn ‘ 4 ‘ia AY a ai ve mm) _ ' tl ; : Del Ls as : i “s os Zs - ” = - v, wat [ ce ‘- a) : pa Nin ‘ Ai tad fas ie owiy ' men” 4 ap 7 a — ; i‘ ¢ ur } i: F i 1 rf Thal seat ih) - Ae Abs Pa A) he 7 ie Bie ot ‘i ys tee int itn - vo :) Wa a sil i 7 A’ a tb i “fi = Bilas re i) "Negy i Phi: | LYCENID 24. 193 and the sweet-smelling flowers to be found in such localities are a great attraction to them. About twenty species are native of the eastern half of our country. Thecla halesus. One of our most gorgeous insects belonging to this genus 1s Thecla halesus, md when gazing on its rich and brilliantly colored wings, one can hardly believe it is other than an inhabitant of tropi- eal countries. It is rather stout-bodied. The upper wings of the male are intense shining blue changing to purple or greenish according to the light in which it is held, with a heavy black band extending along the outer margin and for a short distance along the upper mare near the tip of the wing. A large black sex mark is located just below the middle of the upper edge of the wing. The lower wings are also blue, with a wide black patch at the upper angle and a wide band of black shading into greenish gray towards its upper part, on the inner margin. There is one long pointed tail on each of the lower wings, with a very short one scarcely more than a point just above it. Near the base of the lone tail is a shining metallic greenish spot changing to bronze toward its inner end, and also a little spot of the same color near the base of the little tail. The head is black, with three silvery dots above and two silvery lnes along the base of the palpi. The antenn are of the same color; the body a brilliant shining blue shading to black toward the tip of the abdomen. The female is usually larger than the male, and much more sombre in coloring. The most striking difference, however, is in the tails or delicate prolongation of the lower wings. The upper pair are of moderate length, and about what one would expect in a butterfly of +94 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. this size. The lower pair however, are very long and slender, and out of all proportion to the size of the wings. On this account, and the size of the insect, none other of our native butterflies are at all Theela halesus. Female. likely to be confused with this species. The upper wings are sooty black on the outer two-thirds of their area, the inner third being a dull metallic greenish blue, blending into the black. This coloring also extends diagonally across the lower wing from the body to near the base of the tails. Two elongated blue spots and one nearly round bronze spot are enclosed in a black area near the base of the tails. The tails are black. Theela halesus. Female. Under side. The under side of the wings of both sexes is much alike. The upper are brown, slightly lighter on the lower half, with two white dots and one orange red spot near the base of the wing. | el ‘va yeewen a 4 ray iM aR ipheal Neat ( hin he 4 ee Prey r y : a eye ye : St ae! |... ia a0 » o J 7) ei A a er Mita es eee 4 ia cae - ~ i o it iui} py Army Deak Re en SO Aaa on or im We bat al 4) - K iy ep , ey) ee oO Ce an Brisa r - i” = Wot OPV 1 Gee Tea ee ea eo e es pa he ii be Hage Dh ieeha vie, ao 7 Seen i i) he the i. ae ay Aan my he, ies a Sra wt, tage i Vy : “HS saa va Nj ie%, sOL I Ol a ae sy: ah ie i Pe Atay 8) a 101) > ay, ate ire i oak 7 : i i 7 ih ‘ Saar an uate as u ae nas a i ae iar Lt ee ve pent ty lin ; a wily 7 On an - fi gly h " p esata i _ 7 Mo” ar GA Semi aeeh SBs Pe lire ae ay Nine di reo Nala te Pie pate ee eat ict ar “ile * ip ; _ 7 4 7 nM 7 wear i ma ps as . Ba) ie mary 9 7 7 any m7 | ap i; > . i yi of . BE Nee ea 7 5 a i oy, ci: Ge! i “Layee - Py i ' os if, we oe: o 7 - A : hd ey iy ry i - BB. 26 Agree st spe uae - ‘a aa? . 7 " ys 1A a rie Oyo sy as - 2 _ my tn ae ek: ie a! ra a) k- : +) in Tay: 7 sues . - 8 2) wi ( 7) 2 ae i rh a Pie wy ae ee N ; aa er ne f ro : Oh ys § : oe a it aight i ou : ii : Lee mee ih : aS an * oe ‘Ay bgt 3 ay i a, We), he «7 OF IIRRUE Ga Sir ocean aaa rari pare 1 is vac nee i | ee, ith ‘] i he pe ony vj a >, en i nN ety pay 4 | aly ube” nye Se Ah? L ey a7 ye yA a ny lydia © Le a r ee ) yy a it ae 7 Be ia wit sae uel bt 7 ae: ery et Ree th i A a ANTON gcd Si if : . ea ae be ila connate “ya (om % Ae 2 ite Ah ae | TS ARI RR a SN Sat niall Le Ma, a Pee by adi aD (sd ifn rm" i bar's Ka! aed ne rae uy AS i’ ‘e Wye saa suf me Ny " Yoos trig: th 4 whe ee oa fi ¥) 7 oe ie ne ; "e r ie he ere f : Py ” i x al "1 & he : 5 7 ora: | an 9 oat bboy i “ 7 A ia Ay Ne ‘i = aw ae it hal ne 7 7 ay 0 al nat f fir rn eal Oe bel 1. a re Ul \ am), : Vw ra Cu) Bay : it eae. : : aE, ve ah ii Q EU i rer sin a 7 Me Mech tel | 7 1c eae 1) en Sh han as a hee ih 7 ae Pen ey ar oh ag, ; ab ° ae a oe hs lg i 7 ns LM NA | Wye o 7 A i Han: sa oe : i ; wy rT " HY : [ re os AE a Oe ie U a oh oli ad ip ea vines uae r var My) : ai =) gs mS = ra t wig if Va ad i na ty at Al ae Pt i p ru Mid ake, ae a 0 ‘nt RN ak AEE a ek af } 7 - -_ ‘ | eh) oy \ ae -. | PA ee Ay ol ae Cine La ie : At i‘ ‘ Le, RR a 2 etl Oar a ahh Ni a yah ‘ on cea: a ~~ a RTA Be 0d ON I ree are ee ye ae A ; ah i, ¥ a ih wl wae oe ne an i) oe weal ; ‘ca Me ade yi ne 4 ‘a wir ae La hy ian Te Soe . wt autina iv : 5 - : ns yes Tue : nee vy Me ‘ed ie) ; vee ‘ a ; ma AX U hee Kate a} i “*- “Tl een A ; i i | >| 2 ve in y (roa ce : oa me aD (6 a 7 i Aa, Jy Wa oe Om wy we ~— a a yh ee ier a uv ivi a itd 4 IE a faa lith 1 lis od ie WW vv ee rs ‘> “a Tog Lt aan aan uh > 6 sal) iy ig Tp =. Sa pie 1 ee atrial Pear Nadal oe “ Mal na 7 ae ae Laut nal Le ivy a uth , iat ee Me : r : A pee i 7 p ay a fy ate a) vi iy ri Meats mule - _ i : Fu v mn) " ne ne es 7 ae way the a ok Maa AM is “Ea Man ek Ara ao) ‘ . : LO Le : , 7 7 oi re. ion we : a tee ya ; tn snee) ta : 1 - yi on ss La 7 ' _* be pay! a \ yy UL eee y i aie ‘j ae as hee Tek ny, eat 4 ¥ ib : far Ny Y 4 ral ies = Pi AA Ei A tra 1 th 0 Ae rh bile A t Ab! hen ae 7 - i vy 7 ; x - a, 7 HD Rea, Ne : ee ag : be, ti v ie ra Lo * mh) 7 fie 7 i a a ee a ay, oa: i ‘i ; re r) rg ay hare © Jae ‘ i nee f er : i) a 3 r,s ie a ” « 7 iy h ti PY - y) vi Malt) . ie 7 M a tH iy 5 a EN aa ' { MiM a iy a a ia al hh i ub Be i. i . at |! Mee aa my TY Hy a ay it iD Se an er ty aia) odgird 1 pe of hare oa en Le i ay sats a Nea 18 oe vn pe) ‘ va) a i Tak 7 ie a : : ‘aan : i As 1 - pe A ay 7 i ‘par arty bu da a4 ia : : ft Lo | a 7 i i rm i yah A y , a on a iets Pn, ’ i en my a iH ey) iW ie: 3 im Wi Gnd i us ets ; 5 i fn 5 5 oy ) a ay Pont ie ih Ms Pana? yy, at. ae Penden Ot ale ot ; Ee oda ce Mae Lr aby iy - AR lice aa ae - hy A ae ik. ae nd ma : aya ii hee iv ~ i phy av mr a al sa 7 x fe Lae 1 on 7 f) _ ae i ee ive 7 ’ e ci vis ¥ oe a) > ae er : a A Jo ey i an diet > 7 - v 7 nd ys My 7 m ns eee yi i! { A Md i ‘il Ah ae ie if a 7" Gea ny ca ite ey ie ! ’ “al Vee =, mats Sa aks thal a1 \ qe Sad i ane (iis ae Ueto a] LYC ANID AB. 209 of the larvee are so different from those of other butterflies, that it is a group of unusual interest to the collector. Then, too, the life-his- tories of several of the species are still unknown, or only known in a very imperfect manner. On account of their small size, the extreme wariness, and also the rarity of some of the species, careful observa- tion and patience are requisite to their capture and study, but the hours never seem long or the time ill-spent to him who is keenly interested in the pursuit and study of these minute but fascinating creatures. The genus Libythea is distinguished by having short angular wings and very long pointed palpi, extending out beyond the head in such a manner that the butterflies belonging to this genus have earned the common names of * Long beaks” and ‘+ Snout butterflies.” The males have but four well-developed legs (thus showing their close relationship to the Satyride and the Nymphalidae), while the females have six. The insects are of different shades of brown, with yellowish and whitish markings. We have but three species in the United States, while but one of these, Libythea bachmanni, inhabits the eastern half of the country. This butterfly varies a good deal in coloring, some specimens being much lighter and more reddish than others. The markings, also, of the under side are distinct and clear cut in some, and very vague in other specimens. I have never observed this butterfly in New England, but in the west and south it is not rare, and: Packard states that it is found in Central. America and the West Indies. I have taken it early in August in some numbers, at Batesville, Arkansas. Here, along the pebbly shore of the White River, a good many specimens could be seen, standing with their wings erect, and sipping the moisture from wet spots in the bed. They were excessively shy and difficult to capture, and when alarmed flew very rapidly, but soon alighted. They did not mingle with the other butterflies, which in places were crowded together in dozens, but always alighted on the water-worn stones well out toward the river. The larva is dark green, without spines, but having many hght yellow points, giving it a rough appearance. According to French, it feeds on the nettle tree (Celtis occidentalis), only one egg being placed by the female to a branch. The chrysalis is bluish green and shehtly angular. 210 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. SATYRIDE. Wood Nymphs. Browns. The family Satyride contains a number of medium sized, plain colored butterflies, mostly of different shades of brown, whose only ornamentation usually consists of numerous eye-like spots, most dis- Larva of Satyrus. tinetly traced on the under side. The larvee are cylindrical, tapering toward both ends, particularly the hinder extremity, which is termi- nated by two points. They are usually covered with soft, short hairs, springing from minute warts. Many species feed on grasses. The chrysalides are not angular, differing in this respect in a striking manner from those of the succeeding family. They are usually sus- Chrysalis of Satyrus. pended by the tail from a silken mat, although sometimes they are found loose among leaves on the ground. Like the Mymphalide they lack the silken thread passing around the body, which is the principal characteristic of the Papilionide. The perfect insects possess but four well-developed legs, the forward pair being almost aborted. Their wings are broad and rounded at the ends, and their bodies are small and weak. They are sometimes seen in great numbers, and are most often found in or near wooded tracts. Their flight is slow, and most of the species are easily taken with the net. Our first example of this group, Chionobas semidea, is an insect of great interest to the entomologist, on account of its probably being a survivor of an arctic pre-glacial species, driven to more southern latitudes by the cold of the ice age, and later having advanced up the mountain sides as the ice sheet gradually melted, being thus cut off from a retreat to its former northern habitat by intervening regions SATYRID&. Dalal too warm for its existence. It is now found rarely on the tops of some of the highest mountains in New Hampshire, and in similar Chionobas semidea. situations on the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. In coloring the insect is plain, being an even tint of brown above without spots or markings, save on the upper margin of the fore wings, which is marked with white and dark brown, and the fringe .on the outer margin which is light yellowish marked with dark brown spots. This is most distinctly shown on the under side. Beneath, the fore Chionobas semidea. Under side. wings are plain brown, except along the upper margin and the apex, which is marked with short, irregular lines of dark brown, yellowish brown and white. The lower wings are marked with light brown, A? MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. dark brown and white, the shades being distributed in an irregular manner. The base of the wing is dark brown, then comes an uneven band of lighter brown, outside of which is a wide band of dark brown made up of numerous irregular markings. Beyond this the wing is ] more numerous toward the outer margin. The scales are not thickly ighter, with many white streaks, the brown markings again growing laid on the wings, and on holding a specimen toward the ight it will be seen to be semi-transparent, particularly the lower portion of the upper wings. The thorax is hairy below. The antennie are spotted with white and brown, and the slender club is reddish. From the middle to the latter part of July this butterfly may be seen in numbers near the top of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, and one or two other points of almost equal elevation. It is worth a climb of several thousand feet to see this interesting species in its bleak and wind-swept home. The weather is frequently very cold and windy here, and it often hails and even snows in the summer time, but let the sun come out for half an hour, and out will come the butterflies as if they were flitting about a lowland meadow and a snow squall was the last thing to be thought of. They hug the ground pretty closely while on the wing, but they are not rapid or strong flyers, and it is a wonder that ere this they have not been swept out of existence. The larva is said to feed on lichens. Satyrus alope. Male. Satyrus alope makes its appearance early in July, and is usually very abundant by the middle of that month in low lands, along brooks or ponds fringed with a line of bushes or trees. It is not a MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES DENTON Upper Side Unver Sioe SATYRUS ALOPE a SATYRID A. Date rapid flyer, generally keeping near the ground and often alighting in the coarse grass or on the foliage of the bushes. The females are Satyrus alope. Male. considerably larger than the males, and there is a good deal of varia- tion between individuals in regard to the size of the eye-spots, as the accompanying illustrations from those captured in the same locality Satyrus alope. Female. will show. An interesting capture made in Wellesley, Mass., is shown in the following illustration. It is doubtless an albino, and is an example of the strangely colored insects one may oceasionally take while collecting large numbers of specimens. The ground tint is a light tan color streaked with light brown, and the patch on the 214 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. fore wing is bright yellowish orange, the eye-spots being small and rather dim. Specimens may be occasionally taken, particularly where the present species and Satyrus nephele are found in the same locality, where there is great variation in the size of the yellowish tan patch Satyrus alope. Albino. on the fore wings. In fact, there isa gradual gradation between those in which the spot is large and well defined to others where there is a mere shade of tan color around the two large eye-spots. By some authors the following species, where this color is entirely wanting, is considered but a well-marked variety of Satyrus alope. As dis- tinctions between varieties and species are more or less arbitrary, and considering the fact that if we could see all the intervening varieties, one species would blend insensibly into another, one must conclude that a knowledge of the habits of an animal is more useful than an ability to separate by these nice distinctions varieties from species. As the flight of these insects is weak, they have been obliged to resort to a number of tricks to outwit their enemies. In capturing these butterflies the collector will very soon become acquainted with their modes of escape, which are very interesting, and show no small amount of cunning, scarcely to be looked for in an innocent little butterfly. Their first plan of escape on being disturbed is to make directly for a clump of bushes, into the thickest part of which they dive, and there remain until the danger is past. If one is startled from the grass at some distance from a safe retreat, and the collector overtakes him, he will immediately dodge backward and forward, at SATYRID. Daley one time high in air and again low down near the grass tops, and in spite of his slow flight, keeping well clear of the net. If the net is at last brought very close to him. he will try his last desperate scheme to elude his pursuer, and shutting his wings quickly together will drop into the grass, disappearing as if by magic. If it were not for the cunning of these frail little creatures, they would doubtless have gone to the wall long ago in the struggle for existence. The larva is cylindrical, tapering toward both ends, and has a forked tail. It is yellowish green in color, and covered with fine white hairs. When partly grown it passes the winter hidden among the lower stems of the coarse swamp grass, upon which it feeds, and the next summer completes its growth, changes to a green chrysalis, and emerges a perfect fly. This butterfly with its varieties is a plentiful insect over the east- ern half of the country except in the extreme south. Satyrus nephele. A more northern species than the preceding, and abundant in the northern part of the United States and Canada, is Satyrus nephele. In this insect the upper side is dark brown, without the ochre patch on the forward wings. Two small black eye-spots on the upper wing, surrounded with a faint yellowish brown ring, correspond with the large eye-spots of the preceding species. On the lower wing there is usually a single small black spot. These constitute the only markings of the upper side. On the under side the general color is much the same. The spots on the fore wings are enlarged, pupilled with white, and encircled with distinct rings of tan color. Several smaller rings adorn the lower wings. The inner half of both sets of 216 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. wings 1s marked with short lines of blackish brown, which run together near the body. This area of dark lines is outlined with a heavy irregular dark line. Outside of this on the lower wings the fine dark lines still continue, but they are fainter and shorter. The habits of this insect are identical with the preceding species. Satyrus nephele. Under side. Satyrus pegala is a southern species, being found along the gulf states, and as far north as New Jersey on the east coast. It much resembles Satyrus alope, but the lower eye-spot on the upper wing is very small and without the central white or bluish pupil. Its habits closely resemble those of the two preceding species, and its larva lives on coarse grasses. Neonympha eurytris (spelled also eurythris) is, where it occurs, one of the most plentiful of butterflies, being seen sometimes in great numbers in upland wooded districts. It is a short-lived little creature, however, and is so fragile and delicate that a cold storm or aheavy wind will destroy it by thousands. This destruction may be easily noticed if a long cold storm occurs during the greatest abun- dance of the species, as the butterflies, for a day or two afterward, will be scarce and badly worn, and as they again increase in abundance from day to day they will be found to be nearly all in perfect condi- tion, as their numbers are augmented by the hatching out of fresh specimens. This is a pretty good argument for the collector to use when accused of the wanton destruction of innocent life by the over- sensitive persons that are occasionally met with while one is out with the net. How many butterflies will all the collectors in the world capture in one year in comparison with those exterminated by natural causes, sometimes in a single night? Very few, surely. MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES DENTON Upper Sipe Unoer Sine NEONYMPHA,. EURYTHRIS SATYRIDA. 217 With any of the commoner species the collector is not a factor in diminishing their numbers. These kindly disposed persons, before they pass judgment on the collectors for cruelty, should think of the parasites which so often inhabit the larvae of butterflies and moths, gradually eating away their substance till they are little more than animated skins filled with a wriggling mass of maggots, lingering in this condition for days, so weak as to be scarcely able to crawl. The industrious and painstaking collector, who is endeavoring to increase his knowledge or adorn his cabinet with fresh and perfect specimens, should have every encouragement; he is a public benefactor. This butterfly is most abundant the latter part of June, and the woods are then fairly alive with them. At this time many specimens stray into the open fields and may be seen about our dwellings, although they act as though they felt out of place, and would gladly be back in the woods, where they prefer tracts containing a thick undergrowth of bushes. They fly low, just above the ground, with a rather slow but unsteady or jerky motion, and often alight on the low herbage. To get perfect specimens one must take them very soon after they make their appearance, as they are so apt to become worn or ragged. This species is probably double-brooded to a limited extent, as one may occasionally take perfect specimens in August or early in September: but these are scarce in comparison with the June brood. The majority evidently prefer to go over to the next season. The larva is brownish, darker on the sides, and the body is covered with short brown hairs. The winter is passed in the larval state. The insect inhabits the eastern half of the country. Neonympba canthus. Male. A somewhat northern species is Veonympha canthus, and it is plenti- ful in parts of New England and Canada. It usually inhabits woods, 218 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. but is rarely, if ever, to be found in such abundance as the preceding species, and its'‘time of appearance is later, usually about the middle of July. The insect, though timid, is not a rapid flyer, and seems to be somewhat gregarious in its habits, for, where one is seen, a num- ber may often be started from the trees and bushes in its immediate vicinity. The saying that “‘one sees what he is looking for” was never better exemplified than with reference to the collecting of many of Neonympha canthus, Male. our butterflies and moths, and the shy and retiring species under consideration is a good example. Were one not diligently looking for the insect, and acquainted with the kind of locality in which it is Neonympha canthus. Male. Under side. usually found, he would probably never dream of its existence unless by accident he ran across a colony. These butterflies seldom stray far from where they emerge from the chrysalis, and on account of SATYRIDZ. 219 their delicate structure, their lives are probably very short. There is considerable variation both between the sexes and between individ- uals of the same sex. ‘The males are generally smaller than the Neonympha ¢anthus. Female. females, and are darker in color. In the female there is usually a light yellowish gray band on the upper side, which crosses the for- ward wing about one-third from the end, and the spots on both Neonympha ecanthus. Female. Under side. wings are encircled with yellowish gray. These differences can be readily seen in the accompanying illustrations. The sizes of the eye- spots in individuals of the same sex often vary in a marked degree, even in specimens from the same locality. In some they show scarcely more than dots on the upper side, and in others they are large and prominent on both sides. The caterpillar feeds on grass. It is greenish and downy, and 220 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. hibernates over winter in a half-grown state, completing its growth the next season. The chrysalis is green. Neonympha gemma. Upper and under side. An extremely delicate little butterfly is Veonympha gemma. The wings are light grayish brown, slightly darker toward their outer margins, and are without markings, except two small spots of brown near the outer margin of each lower wing. On the under side the wings are crossed by two faint wavy lines of brown, and next their base are marked with a few short irregular brown lines. Next the outer margin of the lower wings, and bordered inwardly with a gray- ish pink area, is a row of four sharply-defined small black spots, each having a silvery centre. Several splashes of silver extend along the margin both above and below the row of spots. This insect is southern in its range, from Virginia southward. Neonympha sosybius. Upper and under side. About the same size as the preceding species and of a brownish gray, with slightly pinkish reflections, is Veonympha sosybius. The upper side is without spots or markings, except three faint lines along the outer margins. The under side is a much lighter gray, SATYRIDA. DPA with two strong brown lines crossing both sets of wings. On the upper wings, beginning near the upper angle, is a row of four brown and one black eye-spots, each surrounded with a yellow ring and having a central silver dot, and this row is continued on the lower wings, where there are three brown and three black spots. Three brown lines follow the margins of the wings. This is also a southern species, being found from Virginia south- ward and westward. Debis portlandia. Debis portlandia. The general color of this insect is ight wood brown, the outer third of the forward wings being pale, with an Debis portlandia, Under side. irregular dark line separating it from the general color of the wing. This line is darkest and widest near the upper margin, and is bor- dered outwardly by a light yellowish gray area. There are three 222, MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. large dark brown spots with black centres (the lower one being the largest), and one very small spot on the outward third of the upper wing. These spots are surrounded with a ring of pale yellow. On the lower wings are five large dark brown spots, similar to those above. These are arranged as shown in the accompanying figure. The margins of all four wings are darker, and are fringed with white interrupted with tufts of brown scales at the ends of the veins. Two pale grayish lines follow the outer margins of the wings. The thorax is gray, the head and abdomen yellowish brown. The under side is very prettily marked; the general color is about the same as the upper side except that there is a slightly pinkish tinge; but running across both sets of wings, from near the middle of the upper margin of the upper wings, is a wide irregular bar of gray brown, with several indentations and projections on the outer edge. This bar is outlined on both edges with a line of brown. Outside of this is a light yellowish gray area. On the outer third of the upper wing is a row of fine blackish brown spots of various sizes. These are each pupilled with white and encircled with a yellow ring. Outside of this, and enclosing the row of spots, is a line of whitish. The lower wing is also supplied with a number of spots similar to those on the upper wing. The whitish line is also continued, the large spot near the upper margin, and the double spot at the lower end of the row, being encircled by it, while it follows as a wavy line on both sides of the other spots. The entire margin is darker, and a lght gray line follows it on both wings. The body and legs are hght yellow- ish; the abdomen near the thorax is white. This insect inhabits the whole eastern half of the continent, but is very rare in New England so far as my experience goes, although it is a common butterfly in several of the western states. It inhabits wooded districts, particularly the growths of willows along rivers. It is apparently somewhat gregarious, as in walking along the banks of a stream where coarse grasses grow among the trees, one will frequently start it up in numbers, but only in a space covering a few square rods. I have seen it very abundant in Iowa, about the mid- dle of July, along the Iowa and Skunk rivers. The insects usually alight on the tree trunks and among the coarse grasses, and fly but a short distance in a slow and uncertain manner, so that one may catch them in the hands even while on the wing. When not disturbed, they move and turn about at short intervals as if in play, or to take in the view from every direction. The insects vary a good deal in NYMPHALIDA. 223 their markings, some having much larger and darker eye-spots than others. The larva feeds upon grasses, and is cylindrical in shape, taper- ing towards both ends, the posterior being forked into two short tails. It is greenish yellow in color, striped with yellow and dark green. The chrysalis is green and smooth, and is often attached to the stems or blades of the grass on which the larva has fed. NYMPHALIDA. Angle Wings. Silver spots. The great family of Nymphalide contains a larger number of species and genera than any other group of butterflies. It comprises many good sized and beautiful insects, and most of our well-known and showy specimens belong to this group. The family has a world- wide range, members belonging to it being found in every country on the earth. Many of the individual species have a wide geographical distribution, several being well known in half the inhabited regions of the globe. Many of the larvee of these butterflies are covered with spines or stout bristles, while others are adorned with fleshy fila- ments. The chrysalis is stout, and is suspended from a patch of silk by the posterior end of the body, without the thread of silk which passes around the body of the chrysalis of the Papiliontide. , at NYMPHALID2. Deal seldom take more than two or three specimens in a season, but I have obtained many fine ones from Ontario, Canada, where a friend rears them from the egg. An allied species of about the same size is found plentifully in the foothills in northern California. This is Vanessa californica, and it much resembles the European form Vanessa polychloros. To the genus Grapta belong several butterflies inhabiting Europe and America, whose wings are very angular in outline and bear near the centre of the lower pair on the under side a silvery mark, sug- gesting in some instances a letter or a figure. From these rather fancied resemblances some of the species have received their names. These butterflies are of medium size and handsome in coloring, being mostly some shade of orange or reddish brown with black or brown markings. The outlines of their wings, too, like the lines of a fast sailing vessel, suggest speed, for they are very active creatures and even while at rest look alert and ready to take wing the instant danger threatens. They are very common in Canada and in the northern and middle parts of the United States. Grapta interrogationis. Grapta interrogationis is one of the largest of this group of insects and is certainly one of the finest and an ornament to any cabinet. There are two well-marked forms, which are so different in color as to quite puzzle one at first. The most common form is 272 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. od reddish orange on both sets of wings with deep reddish brown or pinkish brown mottlings extending along the outer portions, which Grapta interrogationis. are edged with purple on their outer margins. The wings bear several black spots. The under side is light reddish brown with a few faint brown lines. Grapta interrogationis. With the other form the upper wings are much the same as in the form just described, except that they are usually somewhat darker along their edges and often lack the purple or violet margins. MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES DENTON Uprer Sipe Unoer Siog GRAPTA INTERROGATIONIS NYMPHALID.®. 273 The lower wings, however, are quite dark, being almost black except near their base, while the under side of the insect is frequently dark purplish gray with wide irregular bands of brown. The silvery spot is quite conspicuous in this form, as the dark color surrounding it brings it into prominence. There are two broods in a season, one in June, and the other, which is much the larger, in September. The butterfly frequently hibernates during the winter, and, ike Vanessa antiopa, makes its appearance early in the spring. Grapta interrogationis. Under side. The caterpillar is brown with light yellowish mottlings, and a yellow stripe low down on each side. The branching spines with which its body is armed are yellowish tipped with black. It feeds on the hop, and in some localities does considerable damage. The elm is also attacked by it, particularly the young trees, but I have hever seen it in sufficient numbers to do them any great injury. The chrysalis is ight brown with a slight purplish tinge and has several silvery or golden spots on the back. It is angular and spiny, with projections like ears on the anterior end, and a sharp ridge at the back of the thorax. Like many other butterflies, this species is very partial to half- decayed sweet fruits, and is often seen with other kinds in autumn in pear and peach orchards. It is an easy insect to rear in confine- ment, but greatly subject to the attacks of parasites. Several other species of the genus Grapta are plentiful in the 274 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. northern and eastern states. Three of these look so much alike that it is difficult for the beginner to separate them, the differences being most easily recognized from the under side and from the shape of the silvery mark on the hind wing. Grapta comma, In Grapta comma there are two well-marked forms, as there are in Grapta interrogationis. In one form the color of the upper side is Grapta comma, Under side. much the same on both sets of wings, being orange with black spots margined with reddish brown, in which are several orange spots, and rray edge. The under side of this form is usually ¢ c having a purple MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES DENTON Uprer Sive Unver Sipe , GRAPTA COMMA bi rt “" ~~ = 2 . “ . oe we, = . m Va AN = =o Se be 7 ny NYMPHALID.E. ae mottled with gray and dark brown, the brown in some specimens assuming distinct irregular bands, while in others the whole under surface is a plain grayish brown, often having a pinkish tinge. oO co) Grapta comma. These differences are well shown in the accompanying figures. The silvery spot is usually in the shape of a rather sprawling G. In the other form the upper wings are yellowish tan, while the lower wings are dark, brown, showing very few spots. The under side usually is Grapta comma, Under side. much lighter than in the first described form. These two varieties are not equally abundant, the last described form, in those I have collected, being in the ratio of about one to six to the former. bo =I (or) MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. The larva feeds on the hop, nettle and elm, and is hght yellowish in color, with whitish spines tipped with black. The chrysalis is also light, varying from almost white with gray mottlings to light erayish brown. It has golden markings on its dorsal side. ( Grapta comma, Under side. The habitat of the species is the northern part of the eastern half of our country, but it also extends into the southern parts of Canada. Like other members of the genus, it is a very active butterfly, and while on the wing its movements are so rapid that one can hardly follow its eccentric flight with the eye. If frightened away from a favorite retreat it is almost sure to return in a few minutes, and by stealth it may be easily taken. I have seen it very abundant in northern Ohio in August and September, where it is probably double- brooded. It is frequently found about farms and stables, where the powerful odors probably attract it. A most beautifully mottled insect on the under side is Grapta faunus. The outlines of the wings are more notched, and there is more contrast in the markings of the under side than in any other eastern species of this genus with which I am acquainted. The margins of the wings above are dark, and the spots are heavy and large in proportion to the size of the wings. The under side is brown and gray with several sharp black lines and a number of vaguely defined green spots. The markings are all very irregular, and the general effect is like a bit of torn and decayed bark. Mr. Comstock states that * The larva feeds upon black birch, willow, cur- rent and wild gooseberry.” I have never seen it, and know nothing 5 NYMPHALID. ate of its colors or habits. The butterfly is much more northern in its range than the preceding species, and seems to prefer mountain Grapta faunus. districts. I have taken a good many specimens in the hilly parts of New Hampshire, and it must be abundant in parts of Canada, judg- ing by the numbers I have had sent me from different places. Grapta faunus. Under side. Another species of Grapta occurring in the northern part of the United States and Canada is Grapta progne. The coloring of the upper side of the wings resembles that of Grapta comma, but the markings below are quite different, being light brown and gray, with- out the irregularities of the other species, as there are many fine lines running diagonally across the wings. The silvery mark is thin and 278 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. L-shaped, which is perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic. The larva feeds on the elm and gooseberry. Grapta progne. The species Grapta j-album difters a good deal from other species of this genus, and by some authors is included in the genus Vanessa. Grapta progne. Under side. It is a fair sized insect, stout bodied and powerful. The coloring is rusty yellow, shading to reddish brown, with numerous heavy black and brown bands and spots. Near the upper angle of the upper wing NYMPHALID. 279 is a white spot, and below the middle of the upper margin of the lower wing is another larger white spot. These spots are both Grapta j-album, divided into two by a dark vein. The under side is grayish brown, Grapta j-album. Under side. having a few lines of black with an irregular greenish line near the margin. There is considerable variation in the coloring of the under 280 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. side, as the accompanying illustrations will show, some being almost one plain gray tint, while others are marked with bands of brown, gray and white. This is a northern species, ranging over the northern temperate parts of the continent. I have never seen the larva, but, according to Mr. W. J. Holland, it feeds on the different species of willow. Mr. G. H. French says, “ The chrysalis is one inch long, of a beau- tiful green color, delicately reticulated, with six golden spots on the back.” The perfect insect is sometimes very common, especially in the hilly portions of New Hampshire, where one may take it in Grapta j-album. Under side. July in numbers. One of my brothers succeeded in taking several hundred perfect specimens of this species near Madison, in New Hampshire, last season. They were wild and shy, but were quite abundant. They frequented little used country roads, where they usually rested on the damp earth, sometimes several close together. When frightened they flew up and alighted on the trunks of poplar- trees, with their wings folded close together, the gray and brown color of the side exposed to view giving them the appearance of partially loosened pieces of bark. When struck at with a net while on the wing they sometimes feigned death by closing their wings ‘= and falling onto the road, with which their colors readily harmo- MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES DENTON Upper Sipe Unver Sipe GRAPTA J-ALBUM se me ip oN sie es NYMPHALID. 281 nized. They would even suffer themselves to be taken up and handled without displaying the slightest signs of life, until suddenly assuming activity they started off at a great speed. Grapta gracilis. A species of Grapta, of which I was so fortunate as to obtain specimens in the White Mountain region of New Hampshire, is Grapta gracilis. It is a small species, rather dark ‘reddish above Grapta gracilis. Under side. with dark brown or black margins to the wings. On the under side the inner half of the wings is dark brown. This color ends in a sharp and irregular outline, close to the edge of which the white silvery mark is located and brought into strong relief. Outside of this dark area is a light gray band which blends by insensible degrees into the dark margin of the wings. On close inspection one will see many short, fine brown lines, which look as 282 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. if made with the point of a very fine pen, distributed over the greater part of the surface of the under side of the wings. In habits and mode of flight this butterfly resembles others of the genus already described. It often alights on the roads where they traverse woods, and is so active and wary as to make its capture dif- ficult. The species is found in northern New England and Canada, and is generally considered somewhat rare. The genus Phyciodes contains a large number of small and plainly colored butterflies of a tan or brownish orange color with dark brown or black markings. They are found over all parts of our country and are usually among the commonest of butterflies, actually swarming in May and June and again in August and Sep- tember. So much alike are the different species that a collection containing the many kinds will at first give one the impression that they are all of one or two species with variations. Varieties dif- ferme both in colors and markings are common, and where the different species are so much alike, it is scarcely necessary to state that it is at times exceedingly difficult to separate them. As the many kinds of these butterflies are interesting only to the specialist, I shall not weary the reader with figures and descriptions which must of necessity be very dry and lacking in interest to a lover of the beautiful, the rare and the curious in Nature. Phyciodes tharos is a very common little butterfly in June and again in August in our fields and meadows, where it delights in the blossoms of the low plants, several butterflies sometimes being seen on one flower. It is slow and feeble in flight. The larva feeds on the plantain, and is dark in color and covered with short bristles. The genus Melitea contains a large number of butterflies of rather small size, which are closely related to Phyciodes. They are inhabitants of the north temperate parts of the world, particu- larly in mountain districts, and the western part of our country is rich in species. ‘Phe genus is well represented in western Nevada near the base of the Sierra Nevada, where in June several pretty species may be taken in large numbers. Our eastern species, Melitwa phaeton, is one of the finest of the genus, and is a general favorite with collectors. The color is brownish black with several rows of buff round spots and crescents on the outer half of the wings. Along the outer margins of both sets of wings is a row of brick red spots. The body is black with several small whitish dots along the sides of the abdomen. On the 5 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES Upper Sive Under Sipe PHYCIODES THAROS DENTON py = ITE ES SS Reser NYMPHALIDA. 283 under side the ground color is not so dark. ‘The rows of light spots are more numerous and the reddish spots along the margins are so close together as to make an almost continuous band. ‘The inner third of the wing is blotched with a number of large reddish spots Melitza phaeton,. with light yellow spots surrounded with black rings between them. The body is dark brown below with reddish spots on the abdomen, and the legs and palpi are reddish. Melitzea phaeton. This butterfly, although rarely seen except by those who know where it is to be found and are in diligent search for it, is not rare in New England. It is extremely local in its distribution, being found about meadows or swampy districts, and usually in numbers 284. MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. from a dozen to a hundred in a small space of a few square rods. It is an easily captured species when once found as it is not shy ; its flight is feeble and is not long sustained. It rarely comes into the upland fields or gardens. There is but one brood in a season, the butterfly making its appearance about the middle of June, and con- tinuing to fly for about a month. The female lays her eggs in a cluster on the snake head (Chelone glabra), and when the caterpil- lars hatch they spin a web, drawing the leaves together at the top of the plant. In this web or nest they live and feed until cold weather, when they cease feeding, and remain in it in a dormant state throughout the winter. In the spring they again commence feeding, and when their growth is complete, they separate and seek a retreat in which to pupate. The larva is covered with stiff black bristles, and the chrysalis is gray with dark brown spots. Many grand butterflies belong to the genus Argynnis and sey- eral of the finest of the group are natives of the eastern half of the United States, where at certain seasons they are among the most abundant of butterflies. Many of the species are of good size and very beautiful. The usual color of the wings is reddish tan or brownish orange with sharply defined dark brown or black markings in the shape of ir- regular lines and spots, while beneath, the ground color is generally somewhat lighter. On the upper wings, except along the outer mar- gin and in the space at the upper angle, the markings of the upper side are repeated, but are less sharply defined. The lower wings and the outer margins of the upper pair are usually adorned with bril- liant satiny white spots, which look as if made of silver and highly polished. In a few of the species the males and females differ greatly, but in the majority of kinds they are much alike. According to Mr. Comstock, * More than fifty species occur in America north of Mexico.” Many kinds resemble each other closely, so that they are at times very difficult to separate. Mr. Holland, writing of this genus, says, ‘* Owing to the fact that there is a great tendency in many of the forms closely to approximate one another, the accurate distinction of many of the species has troubled naturalists, and it is quite probable that some of the so-called species will ultimately be discovered to be merely local races or varietal forms.” Male. Female, ARGYNNIS IDALIA. NYMPHALID. 287 The caterpillars are covered with fleshy spines and_ bristles. They feed upon the different species of violets, and are nocturnal in their habits, hiding by day. Many of the species hibernate over winter in the young larval state and resume feeding the next spring. The chrysalides are slightly angular with rows of blunt tubercles on the dorsal side. They are frequently light reddish brown or pink- ish brown in color, and some are adorned with spots of yellow and dark brown. Argynnis idalias. Under side. The number of species of this genus to be found in the western portion of this country is very great, but none of the forms from the far west are to my thinking the rival in beauty of our own richly colored Argynnis idalia. In the female the upper wings are red- dish orange with heavy black margins and spots, and have a row of cream colored spots extending along the outer margin. The lower wings are black with a purple tinge, except on the upper portion, which is yellowish brown. Two rows of large cream col- ored spots adorn the wings, while a row of narrow elongated spots follow the fringe on the outer margin of both sets of wings. Be- neath, the upper wings are a little lighter and more reddish, with the black markings less distinct, while along the upper and outer margin are several silvery white spots enclosed in rings of black. 288 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. The lower wings are brown with many large creamy spots, having a satiny lustre, arranged in irregular rows across them. These spots are also enclosed in rings of black. The male resembles the female except that it is smaller and generally lighter, and the outer row of spots is reddish orange instead of cream color. This, our largest and handsomest Argynnis in New England, is found during the latter part of July and the first of August in low meadowy districts, where its favorite flower, the wild flax, as it is sometimes called, or the swamp milkweed, lives. In exceptional seasons this insect is plentiful, and one may see one or more of these large and richly colored flies about every clump of its favorite blossom. It sometimes visits the upland fields of clover and occa- sionally the flowers of the garden. It is a wild insect and a strong flyer, and when once alarmed it will tax the wind and endurance of a good runner to overtake it. The insect is found throughout New England and the middle and western states, as far west as Dakota. The finest specimens | have ever seen came from I]linois, and their richness of coloring and size made them well worth the trouble of capturing. In the mountainous districts of Virginia, Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas is found the most magnificent species belonging to the genus Argynnis which inhabits this country. This beautiful butterfly is Argynnis diana. In size there are few species of the group in the world which equal it, and but one or two with which [ am acquainted which rival it in beauty. In the male insect the inner portion of each wing is a rich dark brown bordered by a wide band of tawny orange, across which run several narrow lines of brown, between which are round brown spots. The under side, especially on the lower wings, is a good deal hghter where the large area of dark brown gives place to hght brown, while on the upper wings the same area is black with several tawny orange markings. Two lines of elongated silvery spots cross the lower wings, the line near the outer margin being the more distinct. The female is often a good deal larger than the male and in coloring is totally different, the ground color of the wings being a rich greenish or bluish black. The outer portion of the fore wings is crossed by three rows of bluish white spots, while the same portion of the lower wings has one row of large blue spots, each enclosing a round black spot, and one row of elongated bluish white spots near the outer margin. The under side of the female is brown with the ENTON ~ uU MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES Under Sipe IDALIA ARGYNNIS Male. Male. Under side, ARGYNNIS DIANA. NYMPHALID A. 991 lower wings somewhat lighter, which are marked with blue and black spots. A few silvery crescents are to be seen on the lower wings along the outer margins. The female is much the more striking insect of the two, and its size and rich dark color make it a conspicuous object while on the wing. This insect, particularly the female, has been until quite recently, a rare insect in collections, and has brought high prices. Even at present, when its habitat is well known and many of these fine but- Argynnis diana, Female. terflies are taken every season, it is still an uncommon insect to see in any but large collections. It is an active and wary butterfly and as it is usually found in very hilly regions, the successful collector is likely to have many a spirited chase for it. The inhabitants of the regions where it is found in Kentucky, have by this time become familiar with the sight of an able-bodied man going about with a butterfly net, but a few years ago a man could scarcely invent a way in which to make people regard him with more suspicion. 292 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. This insect makes its appearance in July, and is sometimes seen in some abundance. The females are much less common than the males.