third joint finely pointed; clothed with long hairs. Antennæ about
half as long as the costal margin of fore wing, ending with a short,
heavy, spoon-shaped knob. The cell in the fore wing is closed, in the
hind wing open. The spots and markings are differently arranged from
those in _Argynnis_ and _Brenthis_; the wings are never silvered on the
under side. _Eggs_ subconical, flattened on top, fluted on the sides.
_Caterpillars_ gregarious when young, then separating; cylindrical,
covered with short spines set with diverging hairs; feeding upon the
_Scrophulariaceæ_, _Castileja_, and allied plants. _Chrysalis_ rounded
at the head, with sharply pointed tubercles on back, white or pale
gray, adorned with dark markings and orange spots on back.
There are many species in the north temperate zone. Most of the more
than thirty species in North America are confined to the western part
of the continent, only two being found east of the Mississippi.
[Illustration: PL. XIX]
(1) _Melitæa phaëton_ (Drury), Plate XIX, ♂ (The Baltimore).
Easily recognized by the figure. One of the larger species, the male
having a width of 1.75-2.00, the female of 2.00-2.60 inches. Eggs
brownish yellow when laid, changing to crimson, and later to black;
deposited in clusters on balmony (_Chelone glabra_). Hatching in early
fall, the little caterpillars spin a web or tent of silk, where they
pass the winter. When spring comes, they scatter, fall to feeding, and
after the fifth moult turn into chrysalids, from which the butterflies
soon emerge.
Found locally in colonies in swampy places, where balmony grows, from
Quebec to west of Lake Superior and south to the Carolina mountains.
(2) _Melitæa chalcedon_ Doubleday and Hewitson, Plate XX, Fig. 1, ♂
(Chalcedon).
A common species in northern California, ranging eastward as far as
Colorado and Wyoming. One of the larger species, expanding 1.75-2.5
inches. The caterpillar feeds on _Mimulus_ and _Castileja_. The
butterfly is variable, the females in particular differing in the size
of the light spots on their wings.
[Illustration: PL. XX]
(3) _Melitæa macglashani_ Rivers, Plate XX, Fig. 2, ♀ (Macglashan’s
Checker-spot).
One of the largest species in the genus, exceeding in size the two
foregoing, having a width of from 1.85-3.00 inches; closely resembling
_M. chalcedon_, but the outer marginal red spots always bigger and the
yellow spots paler and larger than in that species. Occurs in Utah,
Nevada, and California.
[Illustration: PL. XXI]
(4) _Melitæa harrisi_ Scudder, Plate XXI, Fig. 1, ♀, _under side_
(Harris’ Checker-spot).
Fulvous on upper side; base of wings and outer margins black, black
margins widest at apex. Five fulvous spots in cell of fore wing, two
below it; two white spots on apex. Under side of wings well shown
in the figure we give. Expanse 1.5-1.75 inch. _Eggs_ lemon-yellow,
conoid, flattened at top, ribbed. Adult _caterpillar_ reddish, with a
black stripe on middle of back, nine rows of black, branching spines
on body. On each segment a black band in front of the spines, and
two black-bands behind them. Food-plants _Aster_ and _Diplopappus_.
_Chrysalis_ pale gray or white, blotched with dark brown.
Ranges from Nova Scotia to Lake Superior.
(5) _Melitæa perse_ Edwards, Plate XX, Fig. 3, ♂. _Type_ (The Arizona
Checker-spot).
One of the very small species of the genus. The specimen we figure is
the _type_, that is to say, the specimen upon which Edwards founded his
description of the species. Expanse ♂, 1.00 inch; ♀, 1.10 inch.
_Habitat_ Arizona and northern Mexico.
(6) _Melitæa dymas_ Edwards, Plate XX, Fig. 4, ♀. _Type_ (The Least
Checker-spot).
Even smaller than the preceding, having an expanse of only 0.85 to
1.00 inch. It is much paler on the upper side than _M. perse_, and the
markings are different.
Ranges from southwestern Texas and Arizona to Mexico.
GENUS PHYCIODES DOUBLEDAY
(THE CRESCENT-SPOTS).
Usually quite small _butterflies_, the species found in our region
being some shade of fulvous or reddish, above with dark markings, which
are less distinctly reproduced on the paler under side of the wings.
Of the spots on the under side the most characteristic is the crescent
between the ends of the second and third median nervules. This, when
present, is pearly white or silvery in color. Structurally these
insects differ most markedly from the preceding genus in the enlarged
second and the fine very sharp third joint of the palpi. _Eggs_
higher than wide, slightly ribbed on top, pitted below, giving them a
thimble-like appearance. _Caterpillars_ cylindrical, with rows of short
tubercles, much shorter than the spines in _Melitæa_, dark in color,
marked with paler longitudinal stripes. _Chrysalis_ with head slightly
bifid, generally pale in color, blotched with brown.
Numerous species occur in Central and South America, but only about a
dozen in the United States and Canada, most of them in the Southwestern
States.
(1) _Phyciodes nycteis_ Doubleday and Hewitson, Plate XXI, Fig. 2, ♂
(Nycteis).
Easily mistaken on the wing for _Melitæa harrisi_, which it closely
resembles on the upper side, and with which it is often found flying,
but an examination of the under side at once reveals the difference.
The redder fore wings, paler hind wings, and the crescent on the lower
outer border of these are marks which cannot be mistaken. Expanse ♂,
1.25-1.65 inch; ♀, 1.65-2.00 inches.
Ranges from Maine to the Carolinas and westward to the Rocky Mountains.
[Illustration: PL. XXII]
(2) _Phyciodes tharos_ (Drury), Plate XXII, Fig. 1, ♂. Variety _marcia_
Edwards, Plate XXII, Fig. 2, ♂ (The Pearl Crescent).
A very common little _butterfly_, which everybody must have noticed in
late spring or early summer flitting about lawns and gardens, and in
fall abounding upon clumps of asters. It may easily be recognized from
the figures given. Expanse from 1.25-1.65 inch. The variety _marcia_
comes from larvæ which have hibernated during the winter, and is
lighter and brighter in color, especially beneath, than butterflies of
the later summer and fall broods.
_Eggs_ laid on asters and related plants; greenish yellow. Matured
_caterpillar_ dark brown, dotted on the back with yellow; adorned with
short, bristly, black spines, yellow at base. _Chrysalis_ pale gray,
blotched with spots of brown.
Ranges from southern Labrador to Florida and westward to the Pacific
Coast.
(3) _Phyciodes batesi_ (Reakirt), Plate XXII, Fig. 3, ♂, _upper side_;
Fig. 4, _under side_, ♀ (Bates’ Crescent-spot).
Above closely resembling _P. tharos_, but with the dark markings much
heavier; below hind wings quite uniformly pale yellowish fulvous, with
a row of very pale marginal crescents; ends of veins tipped with brown.
Expanse 1.25-1.65 inch.
Ranges from New England to Virginia and westward to the Mississippi.
[Illustration: PL. XXIII]
(4) _Phyciodes pratensis_ (Behr), Plate XXIII, Fig. 1, ♂ (The Meadow
Crescent).
Closely resembling the preceding, but fore wings not as curved on the
costal margin, and relatively longer and narrower; the pale markings
more whitish, not so red, and more clearly defined. On the under side,
especially in the female, the markings are heavier than in _P. batesi_.
Expanse 1.15-1.40 inch.
Ranges from Oregon to southern California, Arizona, and northern Mexico.
(5) _Phyciodes camillus_ Edwards, Plate XXIII, Fig. 2, ♂, _under side_
(The Camillus Crescent).
Resembling _P. pratensis_, but the pale spots on fore wings paler, and
on hind wings brighter fulvous. Below the dark markings not nearly so
pronounced as in _P. pratensis_. Expanse 1.3-1.6 inch.
Ranges from British Columbia to Colorado and Kansas and south into
Texas.
(6) _Phyciodes picta_ Edwards, Plate XXIII, Fig. 3, ♀, _under side_
(The Painted Crescent).
Below fore wings red on median area, with base, costa, apex, and outer
margin pale yellow. The dark spots on this wing stand out prominently.
Hind wings nearly uniformly bright yellow. Expanse 0.8-1.25 inch.
Ranges from Nebraska as far as Mexico. The larvæ feed on asters.
GENUS ERESIA DOUBLEDAY
Closely allied to _Phyciodes_, but distinguished from it by having
the fore wing more or less deeply excavated on the outer margin about
its middle, and the light spots on the hind wings arranged in regular
bands. There are also differences in the form of the chrysalids and
caterpillars. The genus is best represented in Central and South
America, where there are many very beautiful species. Only three occur
in our region. We have figured two of these.
(1) _Eresia frisia_ (Poey), Plate XXIII, Fig. 4, ♂ (Poey’s Crescent).
Our figure of the upper side will enable any one to recognize it. Below
the wings are fulvous, mottled with dark brown and white, and the spots
of the upper side reappear as white bands and markings. Expanse 1.4-1.5
inch.
Occurs in the extreme south of Florida about Key West, and is not
uncommon in the Antilles, Mexico, and Central America.
[Illustration: PL. XXIV]
(2) _Eresia texana_ (Edwards), Plate XXIV, Fig. 1, ♀ (The Texan
Crescent).
Well represented in our illustration. Below the fore wings are fulvous
at base, and broadly marked with dark brown beyond the middle. Hind
wings at base marbled wood-brown, and dark externally like the fore
wings. The light spots of upper side reappear on lower side, but not so
distinctly. Expanse 1.25-1.75 inch.
Ranges through Texas into Mexico, and South America. The genus _Eresia_
is undoubtedly one of those which originated in the warm neotropical
regions and which since the glacial epoch have spread northward. Many
of our genera have come to us from the South.
GENUS SYNCHLOE BOISDUVAL (THE PATCH-SPOTS).
Medium-sized or small _butterflies_, often very gayly colored. Wings
generally more produced than in the two foregoing genera, more
excavated on outer margin of primaries, and third joint of palpus
spindle-shaped, not sharp like the point of a needle, as in _Phyciodes_
and _Eresia_. The lower discocellular vein in the fore wing is straight
and not angled, as in the two last-named genera. _Eggs_, which are laid
in clusters upon sunflowers (_Helianthus_), like those of _Phyciodes_
in general appearance; the _caterpillars_ and _chrysalids_ like those
of _Melitæa_. There are many species of the group found in the American
tropics, and among them are many curious mimetic insects, which
resemble miniature Heliconians and Ithomiids. Three species occur in
our southland, one of which we figure.
(1) _Synchloë janais_ (Drury), Plate XXIV, Fig. 2, ♂ (The
Crimson-patch).
The upper side of a small male specimen is well shown in our figure.
Below the markings of the upper side are reproduced in the fore wings.
Hind wings on this side black at base and on outer third. The basal
area crossed by a yellow bar, on middle of wing a broad yellow band,
washed externally with crimson, in which are numerous black spots.
There is a marginal row of yellow, and a limbal row of white spots
parallel to the outer border. Expanse 2.50-3.00 inches.
Ranges through southern Texas, Mexico, and Central America.
GENUS GRAPTA KIRBY (THE ANGLE-WINGS).
Medium-sized or small _butterflies_; fore wing strongly acuminate at
end of upper radial, deeply excavated on outer and inner border; hind
wing tailed at end of third median nervule; cells on both wings closed;
palpi heavily scaled beneath. Upper side of wings tawny, spotted
with darker, under side mimicking the color of bark and dead leaves,
often with a silvery spot about middle of hind wing. The butterflies
hibernate in winter. _Eggs_ taller than broad, tapering toward top,
which is flat, adorned with a few longitudinal ribs, increasing in
height upward, laid in clusters, or strung together, then looking like
beads. _Larva_ with squarish head; body cylindrical, adorned with
branching spines. _Chrysalids_ with head bifid; prominent tubercle on
back of thorax; two rows of dorsal tubercles on abdomen; compressed
laterally in thoracic region; color wood-brown or greenish. The
caterpillars feed upon plants of the nettle tribe, including the elm
and hops, though willows, azalea, and wild currants are affected by
different species.
The genus is confined to the northern temperate zone. We have about
a dozen species in America, of which five have been selected for
illustration.
[Illustration: PL. XXV]
(1) _Grapta interrogationis_ (Fabricius), form _fabricii_ Edwards,
Plate XXV, ♂ (The Question-sign).
The largest species of the genus in our fauna. Dimorphic, the upper
sides of the hind wings in the form _fabricii_ being fulvous with dark
markings, those of the form _umbrosa_ Lintner being uniformly dark,
except at base. In the Middle States double-brooded. The second brood
hibernates in the winged form. Expanse 2.50 inches.
Found throughout Canada and the United States, except on the Pacific
Coast.
[Illustration: PL. XXVI]
(2) _Grapta comma_ (Harris), form _dryas_ Edwards, Plate XXVI, ♂ (The
Comma Butterfly).
Larvæ feed on nettles; some are almost snow-white. The species is
dimorphic. In the form _dryas_ Edwards the hind wings are dark above,
in the form _harrisi_ Edwards they are lighter in color. Expanse
1.75-2.00 inches.
The range is much the same as that of the Question-mark.
[Illustration: PL. XXVII]
(3) _Grapta faunus_ Edwards, Plate XXVII, ♀ (The Faun).
Readily recognized by the deep indentations of the hind wings, the
heavy black border, and the dark tints of the under side mottled
conspicuously with paler shades. Expanse 2.00-2.15 inches. The larva
feeds on willows.
Ranges from New England and Ontario to the Carolinas, thence westward
to the Pacific.
As I have remarked of the genus _Argynnis_ that it is difficult, so
also I may say of the genus _Grapta_ that it provokes much discussion
among those who have not had the opportunity to study full series of
specimens of the various species. The resemblances are very great, and
the differences are not accentuated, so that the superficial observer
is easily led astray. The differences are, however, valid, even on
the upper side of the specimens, which are more nearly alike than the
lower side. Take the two species here presented to view on opposite
pages. They resemble each other closely, but the student will soon see
that there are differences, and these are constant. On the under side
they are very great, _G. faunus_ being light in color below, while _G.
silenus_ is very dark. In both species at the end of the cell of the
hind wing there is on the under side a silvery spot which has the form
of an inverted L (⅂), or is rudely comma-shaped.
[Illustration: PL. XXVIII]
(4) _Grapta silenus_ Edwards, Plate XXVIII, ♂, _Type_ (The Toper).
Wings in form very much like those of _G. faunus_, but the fore wing
not as strongly produced at the ends of the upper radial, and the hind
wing at the end of the first submedian. The wings are much darker below
than in _faunus_, without large pale spots, at most sprinkled with
white scales. Expanse 2.00-2.30 inches.
Occurs in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon.
The life history of this species is not as yet known. It is highly
probable that the insect has the same tastes as the other species of
the genus, and lives upon much the same food-plants. The late W. G.
Wright, who was a careful observer, states that the butterfly haunts
partially wooded places upon hillsides in the region where it is found.
It is to be hoped that some bright young person in Oregon or Washington
may succeed in breeding the larvæ to maturity, giving us an account of
his observations. It is a mistake to suppose that everything which is
worth knowing is already known about our lepidoptera. There is much for
the students of the future to find out.
[Illustration: PL. XXIX]
(5) _Grapta progne_ (Cramer), Plate XXIX, ♂ (The Currant Angle-wing).
Somewhat smaller than any of the foregoing species. Fore wings light
fulvous shading into yellow outwardly. The dark markings are smaller
than in the other species, but pronounced and clearly defined. Wings
below very dark, sprinkled with lighter scales. Expanse 1.85-2.00
inches.
The larva feeds upon all kinds of plants belonging to the currant
family.
Ranges from Siberia to Nova Scotia, thence south to the latitude of
Pennsylvania.
GENUS VANESSA FABRICIUS
(THE TORTOISE-SHELLS).
_Butterflies_ of medium size. Eyes hairy; palpi somewhat heavily
scaled; cell of fore wings may or may not be closed, that of hind
wing always open. Fore wings more or less excavated about middle and
somewhat produced at ends of upper radial and first median, but not so
strongly as in _Grapta_. Hind wings, with outer margin toothed at ends
of veins and strongly produced at end of third median nervule. _Eggs_
short, ovoid, tapering above, and having a few narrow longitudinal
ribs, which increase in depth upward; laid in large clusters.
_Caterpillars_ when mature, cylindrical, with longitudinal rows of
branching spines. Feeding upon elms, willows, and poplars. _Chrysalis_
not unlike that of _Grapta_.
The genus is restricted to the north temperate zone and the colder
mountain regions of subtropical lands. The butterflies hibernate, and
are among the first to be seen in the springtime.
[Illustration: PL. XXX]
(1) _Vanessa antiopa_ (Linnæus), Plate XXX, ♀ (The Mourning Cloak, The
Camberwell Beauty).
This familiar insect needs no description. It occurs everywhere in the
north temperate zone. Eggs laid in large masses on willows, poplars,
and elms. There are two broods in the Middle States, the second
hibernating under eaves and in hollow trees. Expanse 2.75-3.25 inches.
There is a rare variety of this insect in which the yellow border
becomes broad, reaching the middle of the wings. Only two or three such
“sports” are known, one in the possession of the author. There are some
collectors who set great store by such “freaks” or “aberrations,” as
they are called.
[Illustration: PL. XXXI]
(2) _Vanessa j-album_ Boisduval & Leconte, Plate XXXI, ♂ (The Compton
Tortoise).
No description is necessary as our figure will enable it to be
immediately recognized. A close ally of the European _Vanessa
vau-album_. Expanse 2.60-2.75 inches.
Larva feeds upon willows. Confined to the northern parts of the
country, only occurring in Pennsylvania upon the summits of the higher
mountains, and ranging thence to Labrador in the east and to Alaska in
the northwest.
[Illustration: PL. XXXII]
(3) _Vanessa milberti_ Godart, Plate XXXII, ♀ (Milbert’s
Tortoise-shell).
Easily distinguished by the broad yellow submarginal band on both
wings, shaded outwardly by red. Expanse 1.75 inch. The larva feeds upon
nettles (_Urtica_).
Found at high elevations in the Appalachian highlands, ranging
northward to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, thence westward to the Rocky
Mountains and the Pacific Coast, its distribution being determined by
temperature and the presence of its food-plant, though its distribution
seems to be more dependent upon climate than upon food, as nettles
abound in the Southern States, where the insect is never found.
In addition to the three species of _Vanessa_, which we have figured
upon our plates, it should be mentioned that there is a very pretty
species, known as _Vanessa californica_, which occurs upon the Pacific
Coast. It somewhat closely resembles the European _Vanessa urticæ_.
In southern California it is only found upon the mountains, but about
Vancouver and elsewhere in British Columbia it occurs at sea-level.
It is a pugnacious little thing, and fights at sight any other
butterfly which comes near. The food-plant of the larva is _Ceanothus
thyrsiflorus_. W. G. Wright informs us that the butterfly in the spring
delights to feed upon the gum of _Abies concolor_, when it is still
fluid.
GENUS PYRAMEIS DOUBLEDAY
(THE RED ADMIRAL AND PAINTED LADIES).
The _butterflies_ of this are like those of the last genus in the
structure of their wings, except that the hind wings are not angulate,
and below the hind wings are generally marked with eye-like spots.
_Egg_ ovoid, closely resembling that of _Vanessa_. Larva like that of
_Vanessa_, but spines relatively not so large and not so distinctly
branching. Form of _chrysalis_ very like that of _Vanessa_. The genus
includes comparatively few species, but most have a very wide range,
_Pyrameis cardui_ being almost cosmopolitan in its distribution, having
a wider range than that of any other butterfly.
[Illustration: PL. XXXIII]
(1) _Pyrameis atalanta_ (Linnæus), Plate XXXIII, ♀ (The Red Admiral).
This familiar butterfly is found throughout temperate North America,
Europe, northern Africa, and temperate Asia. Expanse 2.00-2.50 inches.
Larva feeds on the leaves of hop vines, on nettles, and _Bœhmeria_.
[Illustration: PL. XXXIV ]
(2) _Pyrameis huntera_ (Fabricius), Plate XXXIV, ♂ (Hunter’s Butterfly).
Marked much like _P. cardui_, but easily discriminated from it by the
two large eye-like spots on the under side of the hind wings. Expanse
2.00 inches.
Caterpillar feeds on cud-weed (_Gnaphalium_) and _Antennaria_. Ranges
from Nova Scotia to Mexico and Central America, being comparatively
rare in California, but more abundant east of the Sierras.
We all know Hunter’s Butterfly. How many know that its name
commemorates that of a most remarkable American, John Dunn Hunter?
Captured by the Indians in his infancy, he never knew who his parents
were. He was brought up among the savages. Because of his prowess in
the chase they called him “The Hunter.” Later in life he took the name
of John Dunn, a man who had been kind to him. He grew up as an Indian,
but after he had taken his first scalp he forsook the red men, no
longer able to join them in their bloody schemes. He went to Europe,
amassed a competence, became the friend of artists, men of letters,
and scientists. He was a prime favorite with the English nobility and
with the King of England. He interested himself in securing natural
history collections from America for certain of his acquaintances, and
Fabricius named the beautiful insect shown on our plate in his honor.
His _Memoirs of Captivity Among the Indians_ are well worth reading. In
that charming book, _Coke of Norfolk and His Friends_, which recently
has been published, there are some most interesting reminiscences of
this American gentleman, for gentleman he was, although reared by
savages. The presumption is established that his unknown progenitors
were gentlefolk. “Blood will tell.”
[Illustration: PL. XXXV]
(3) _Pyrameis cardui_ (Linnæus), Plate XXXV, ♀ (The Painted Lady; The
Thistle Butterfly).
Easily distinguished from the preceding by the numerous and much
smaller eye-spots forming a band on the under side of the hind wings.
Expanse 2.00-2.25 inches.
Found all over the world, except in the tropical jungles of equatorial
lands.
The caterpillars feed on various species of thistles, nettles, and
marshmallows.
GENUS JUNONIA HÜBNER
(PEACOCK BUTTERFLIES).
Medium-sized _butterflies_ with eye-spots on upper side of wings.
Neuration almost exactly like that of the genus _Pyrameis_, save
for the fact that the cell of the fore wing is usually, and of the
hind wing always, open. _Egg_ broader than high, flattened on top
and adorned by ten very narrow and low vertical ribs. _Caterpillars_
cylindrical, longitudinally striped, and with several rows of branching
spines. _Chrysalis_ arched on back, curved inwardly in front, and
somewhat bifid at head, with the two projections rounded.
There are a score of species, most of which are found in the tropics of
the Old World. Three occur in our region, two of which are found in the
extreme south. The one which is common we have figured.
[Illustration: PL. XXXVI]
(1) _Junonia cœnia_ Hübner, Plate XXXVI, ♂ (The Buckeye).
The spots of the upper side reappear on the lower side, but are much
smaller, especially on the hind wings. Expanse 2.00-2.25 inches.
The larva feeds most commonly on plantains (_Plantago_), snapdragons
(_Antirrhinum_), and _Gerardia_.
Very common in the Southern States, ranging as far north as New
England, west to the Pacific, and south into South America.
GENUS ANARTIA DOUBLEDAY.