(_Vanessa cardui_, L. _Cynthia kershawii_, McCoy, Ann. and Mag. Nat.
Hist. iv., vol. i. p. 76 (1868). _Pyrameis cardui_, var. _P. kershawii_,
Butler, Erebus and Terror Lep., p. 29 (1874).)
(Plate XII., fig. 1, 2 under side.)
This elegant butterfly occurs throughout both islands, but is very
irregular in its appearance. In some years it is quite abundant, whilst in
others scarcely a specimen will be seen. During the summer of 1889-1890 it
was extremely plentiful in the Wellington district, being at that time much
commoner than _Vanessa gonerilla_, but its appearance in such large numbers
as this was, I think, very exceptional.
The expansion of the wings varies from 2 to 2¼ inches. _Above, all the
wings are orange-red, spotted and mottled with black._ The fore-wings are
bronzy towards the base; _in the black apex there are five white spots_.
Near the termen of the hind-wings three of the black spots have blue
centres. On the under side of the fore-wings the markings are very
similar to those on the upper side, except that there are several
additional white blotches, and the orange-red ground colour has a rosy
blush towards the base. The hind-wings are very beautifully mottled with
an elaborate series of pale brown, purplish-grey, yellowish-brown, and
white markings; three of the large spots near the termen have pale blue
centres.
I have not yet met with the larva of this insect, neither can I find any
record of its having been observed in New Zealand. The following
description by Mr. Stainton is taken from a European specimen:[51] "The
spiny larva is brown with two dorsal and two lateral yellow lines; on the
third, fourth, and twelfth segments there are four spines; on the fifth to
eleventh segments seven spines, and on the thirteenth two spines; it feeds
solitarily in rolled thistle-leaves."
The perfect insect appears in January, February, March and April,
hibernated specimens occurring from August until December. It is a much
more wary butterfly than either _Vanessa gonerilla_ or _V. itea_, and can
seldom be captured after it has once been {109}disturbed, although it will
often return to the same spot several times in succession. In fact, owing
to its extreme timidity, its capture is generally attended with some
difficulty.
This insect is found almost throughout the entire world. In specimens from
the Northern Hemisphere the black spots on the hind-wings have no blue
centres, and the butterflies are a little larger than those found in the
Southern Hemisphere, otherwise the two insects are exactly alike. The
southern form has been called _V. kershawii_ by several writers, but the
differences do not appear to me to be sufficiently important to merit a
distinct specific name, especially as both forms occur together in South
Africa.
This insect has frequently been observed at various places on the European
Continent migrating in vast swarms; and it seems probable that its strong
migratory instinct may have led to its enormously wide range at the present
time.
Genus 3.--JUNONIA.
"Eyes glabrous. Club of antennæ abrupt. Fore-wings, with vein 10
separate. Hind-wings with transverse vein, absent between veins 4 and 5."
(Meyrick.)
We have one species in New Zealand.