GENUS. VANESSA, _Fabr. Latr. God. Steph. &c._ Papilio (Nymph. Gemm.),
_Drury, &c._
VANESSA TEREA. Alis dentatis supra fuscis, fasciâ communi fulvâ lineâ
nigrâ divisâ; anticis subfalcatis punctis apicalibus albis, posticis
intus subcaudatis, ocello anali gemino. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc. 3 lin.)
SYN. Papilio (Nymph. Gemm.) Terea, _Drury_, _App. vol._ 1, 2. _Fab. Ent.
Syst._ III. 1. _p._ 92. _No._ 288. _Cramer_, _pl._ 138. _fig._ E. F.
_Encyl. Méth._ ix. _p._ 314. (Vanessa T.)
HABITAT: Sierra Leone.
_Upper Side._ Antennæ black. Thorax and abdomen greenish brown. The
shoulders of all the wings surrounded by a broad patch of a yellowish
brown; joining to this is a yellow clay-coloured bar, rising near the
anterior edges. The remaining part of the wings is occupied by a dusky
black border, situated along the external edges; having some very small
white spots thereon, whereof four are placed near the tips.
_Under Side._ Palpi, legs, breast, and sides pale clay-coloured. Anterior
wings pale clay-coloured; having three irregular indented bars crossing
them, from the anterior to the posterior edges. Along the external edges
is a dark cloud, whereon are four or five exceeding small white eyes, and
a small white spot like an arrow's point near the tips. Posterior wings
pale clay-coloured, clouded along the external edges, where there are
three exceeding small white eyes. A small reddish line crosses these
wings from the abdominal corners to the middle of the anterior edges. All
the wings are dentated; the anterior being a little angulated.
This butterfly, according to Mr. Smeathman, delights to sport in the
sunshine, and is frequently found in company with Pieris Calypso about
cultivated spots, as old rice plantations and cassava grounds.