Plate IV. fig. 1.
ORDER: Lepidoptera. SECTION: Diurna. FAMILY: Nymphalidæ, _Swains_.
GENUS. CETHOSIA, _Fabr. Latr. et God._ Papilio (Nymphal. Phalerat.),
_Drury_.
CETHOSIA CYANE. Alis dentatis nigris, lineâ communi tenuissimâ angulatâ
marginali, anticis fasciâ posticis disco (nigro punctato) albis. (Expans.
Alar. unc. 3½.)
SYN. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Cyane, _Drury, App. v._ 2. _Herbst. Pap.
tab._ 248. _fig._ 3. 4. _Cramer, Pap._ 25. _pl._ 295. _fig._ C. D. _Fabr.
Ent. Syst._ III. 1. _p._ 115. _No._ 352. _Latr. et God. Encycl. Méthod._
ix. _p._ 247. (Cethosia Cy.)
HABITAT: Bengal (_Drury_). India (_Fabr._).
_Upper Side._ The anterior wings are dentated and black: the anterior
edge of a dirty olive brown; in the middle whereof a broad white bar
arises, and runs transversely towards the middle of the external edge,
where, stopping at the distance of a quarter of an inch, it forms, with
some faint white spots, a black border along the external edge, whereon
is a row of narrow white angulated marks. The posterior wings, which are
deeply dentated, are white; with a deep black border running along the
external edge, whereon is a row of white angulated marks, as on the
superior wings, and above each of them is a series of short white
streaks, running parallel with the edge of the wing. Above these are six
round black spots, one situated between each nerve, and over them six
more smaller, and fainter; several more spots being dispersed on the
white parts of the wings, some very distinct, and others very faint.
_Under Side._ The anterior wings are red, which colour extends from the
base nearly half along the wing, and which, towards the posterior edge,
softens to a cream-colour. On this red ground are some short black lines,
with blue ones between them, extending between the two principal nerves.
The external edge has a black margin; whereon the white angular marks are
seen more distinctly, being here shaped like beards of arrows. Above this
border, near the external angle, are two oval black spots, or eyes, whose
irides are white, having between them and the black border a row of
small, round, black spots, placed close together. The white bar described
on the upper side is also seen here. Several more black spots, of various
forms, are dispersed on different parts, particularly a group in the
centre of the wing. The inferior wings are white, with pale
cream-coloured clouds; but next the base are white, blue, and red, with
black streaks, from whence a shade of blue and brown runs along the
anterior edge to the external angle, where a black border commences,
whereon are angular white marks, like arrow beards or points. This border
continues to the abdominal corners, where two small, curved, black lines
meet together, and form an arch. Above the black border is a row of small
black spots, and above them are six larger, with several others, of
different shapes and sizes, dispersed on various parts of the wings.
{9}The insect described in the Encyclopédie Méthodique, from Malabar,
differs from that figured by Drury, in having the disc of the posterior
wings of a fulvous buff colour, and the spots larger, with the markings at
the base of this pair of wings, on the under side fulvous instead of blue.
Is this to be regarded as a variety, the opposite sex, or a distinct
species?