Genus 1.--CHRYSOPHANUS, Hb.
"Eyes glabrous. Club of antennæ elongate. Fore-wings with vein 6
separate, 8 and 9 stalked." (Plate I., figs. 15 and 16 neuration of _C.
salustius_).
"An extensive and nearly cosmopolitan genus. Larva short, stout, attenuated
at extremities, with short hairs. Pupa attached by the tail and central
belt of silk, or sometimes unattached on the ground."--(Meyrick.)
There are three New Zealand species.
CHRYSOPHANUS SALUSTIUS, Fabr.
(_Chrysophanus salustius_, Fabr., Butler, Butterflies of N. Z., Trans. N.
Z. Inst. x. 263. _Chrysophanus rauparaha_, Fereday, Trans. N. Z. Inst.
ix. 460. _Chrysophanus maui_, ib. x. 252.)
(Plate XII., fig. 18 [M], 19 [F], 20 and 21 under side; Plate XIII., figs.
2, 3, 4, and 5 varieties.)
This pretty little butterfly appears to be very common in most parts of New
Zealand. I have records of its occurrence in abundance at various
localities, from Napier southwards to Invercargill.
The expansion of the wings varies from 1 to 1½ inches. _On the upper side
all the wings are brilliant shining copper, with black markings._
Fore-wings with three spots near the middle, then a row of black spots,
often forming a band nearly parallel with the termen, another row on the
termen, generally touching the narrow black border of the wing.
Hind-wings resembling fore-wings, except that there is only one elongate
spot in the centre, and the terminal series of spots is nearly always
separated from the black border. In the female the black spots are united
and form bands, those on the termen often having violet or blue centres.
The veins in both sexes are indicated by black lines, which are often
double in the male, when the vein itself is coppery. On the under side
the fore-wings are orange-brown, bordered with yellow; the spots resemble
those of the upper side, except that the terminal series are generally
faint or obsolete towards the costa. The hind-wings vary from light
yellow to dull brown; the spots are dull greyish, the posterior series
often having white centres.
From the foregoing it may be seen that the variation in this insect is
considerable. After a careful examination of a large number of specimens
taken at various localities in both North and South Islands, I am, however,
unable to find characters of sufficient constancy to entitle any of the
forms to specific rank. The most striking of these varieties appears to be
that described by Mr. Bates as _Chrysophanus feredayi_.[55] (See Plate
XIII., fig. 2, upper side; Plate XII., fig. 21, under side.) On the upper
surface it has the central series of spots almost forming a band in the
male, and the coppery ground colour is paler than in the typical form. On
the under side the borders of the fore-wings, and the whole of the
hind-wings are dull brown. This form closely resembles _C. rauparaha_,
Fereday.[56] _C. maui_, Fereday, is evidently that variety of the male
having the veins bordered with two fine black lines. Mr. Fereday states
that he has never been able to find the female of his _C. maui_. This is
readily accounted for by the fact, that the female of _C. maui_ is nothing
more than the female of _C. salustius_.
Recently two very remarkable aberrations of _C. salustius_ have come under
my {117}notice; one captured by Mr. Hawthorne at Karori, in which the
hind-wings are almost entirely suffused with blackish-brown, excepting a
small patch of copper colour near the centre, and two patches on the
termen. Another specimen, taken by Mr. Grapes near Paraparaumu, has the
fore-wings also suffused with blackish-brown, except near the middle, where
there are five coppery patches between the veins. On the under side there
are six large oblong spots near the termen of the fore-wings, and a series
of dusky oblong spots on the hind-wings. (See Plate XIII., fig. 3, fig. 4
under side.) Plate XIII., fig. 5, represents another variety discovered by
Mr. Grapes on the coast near Paikakariki, in the Wellington district. It is
remarkable for the bright blue terminal spots which are present in both
sexes.
The eggs of _C. salustius_, when first deposited, are pale green with
yellow reticulations, the whole egg having a honeycombed appearance when
magnified. They become uniform pale yellow before hatching. The young larva
is shaped somewhat like a wood-louse. The head is quite hidden by the three
anterior segments, which are much larger than the rest. After the first
moult the larva becomes bright green, with a crimson line down the back;
the head is then larger, and the three anterior segments considerably
reduced. Unfortunately the life-history could not be investigated beyond
this point, as the larvæ all died. The time of year when this occurred was
late autumn, and it therefore seems probable that the larvæ hibernate and
undergo their transformation early the following spring.
The perfect insect first appears in November and continues abundant until
the middle or end of February. Specimens of what I believe to be a second
brood may be taken in March and April if the weather be fine, but in stormy
seasons these are frequently not observed. I have also noticed that the
autumnal specimens are usually smaller and paler in colour than those
captured in the spring.
This butterfly frequents open situations, and in fine, sunny weather it is
often very common.
CHRYSOPHANUS ENYSII, Butl.
(_Chrysophanus enysii_, Butler, Ent. Mo. Mag. xiii. 153 (1876).)
(Plate XII., fig. 22 [M], 23 [F], 24 under side.)
This species is tolerably common in the Wellington district, and I expect
it will be found to occur in most localities in the North Island. I have
also taken the insect at Nelson, but have not heard of its capture
elsewhere in the South Island.
The expansion of the wings varies from 1 to 1¼ inches. On the upper
surface both sexes resemble some of the females of _Chrysophanus
salustius_, except that the dark markings are very much broader, and the
coppery colour is paler and less lustrous. On the under side the
fore-wings are pale yellowish-brown, bordered with darker brown, with
three black spots near the middle, and a chain of black spots beyond the
middle. _The hind-wings are yellow, with a very large irregular patch of
purplish brown extending over the costal and terminal portions._
This insect varies chiefly in the extent of the dark markings on the upper
side, which sometimes very much encroach on the golden ground colour. The
spaces between veins 2, 3, and 4, near their origin are sometimes yellow
and sometimes black, but, as every intermediate form exists, cannot be
distinguished as species. Mr. Fereday regards the form with the black
spaces as _C. feredayi_, Bates. As previously stated, however, I am
inclined to think that _C. feredayi_, Bates, is the same form as _C.
rauparaha_, Fereday.
{118}This butterfly is essentially a forest-loving species, and may
sometimes be taken quite plentifully in sunny openings on fine days, during
December and January. It is not nearly so common as _C. salustius_, and I
do not think that there is more than a single brood in a season.
CHRYSOPHANUS BOLDENARUM, White.
(_Lycæna boldenarum_, White, Proc. Ent. Soc., Ser. 3, 1, p. 26 (1862).
_Chrysophanus boldenarum_, Butl., Zool. Erebus and Terror, Ins. Lep., p.
29, n. 8, pl. 8, figs. 8, 9 (1874).)
(Plate XII., figs. 13, 14, [M] varieties, 15 under side of [M], 16 [F], 17
under side of [F].)
This brilliant little butterfly is very common in most localities in the
South Island. In the North Island it has occurred at Lakes Wairarapa and
Taupo.
The expansion of the wings is 7/8 inch. On the upper side the male has
all the wings brown, _tinged with the most brilliant glistening purple_.
The fore-wings have two or three black spots near the middle, a curved
series beyond the middle, and on the termen. The hind-wings have two
black spots near the middle, a series beyond the middle, and a terminal
series, generally with blue centres. All the wings are narrowly bordered
with black. The female is pale yellowish-brown, the spots resemble those
of the male, except that all the marginal series have bright purple or
blue centres. On the under side the fore-wings of both sexes are pale
yellow, bordered with slaty-blue: the spots are the same as on the upper
side. The hind-wings are brownish-grey in male, slaty-grey in female,
with the basal portion darker, and the spots of the upper side always
indicated.
This insect is extremely variable, but I do not think it likely that any of
the numerous forms will prove sufficiently constant to be regarded as
distinct species. The male varies in the size and number of the black
spots, many of which are often absent; in the extent of the purple sheen
which is sometimes absent from the hind-wings, sometimes partially absent
from the fore-wings, and sometimes extends over the whole of both pairs of
wings; also in the colour of such sheen, which often inclines towards blue.
Some specimens are much paler than others, and so far as my experience
goes, these are chiefly found at considerable elevations; in such
specimens, the ground colouring inclines towards yellow or orange, and the
purple sheen is very brilliant, and extends over the whole of the wings.
The female of this form is proportionately paler. Other specimens have the
hind-wings almost black with no purple sheen, whilst in others the purple
sheen remains. Another form has the usual markings, but the hind-wings are
deep orange-brown, without purple sheen, which is also absent from the
outer portions of the fore-wings. One female in my collection is dull
brown, with yellow markings between the two rows of black spots. The under
side is still more variable. One very striking form has only the basal
portions of the fore-wings yellow, the rest of the ground colour is pale
bluish-grey, and the spots black. On the hind-wings there are a number of
black spots near the base; then an irregular band of black, and then a
double row of marginal spots. An almost unlimited number of varieties
appears to connect this form with one, in which all the markings on the
hind-wings are nearly obsolete. The specimens of this insect taken in each
district appear to exhibit differences from those taken elsewhere, but
specimens also differ from the same district, so that at present we are
unable to detect any well-marked local variation, or topomorphism, as it
has been termed. It is consequently highly desirable that collectors should
endeavour to obtain specimens from as many localities as possible, so that
the nature of the variation of this butterfly may be better understood.
Mr. Fereday states[57] that after carefully examining a patch of _Donatia
{119}novæzealandiæ_, a plant he had noticed much frequented by this
butterfly, he succeeded in finding a larva which there could be little
doubt would have given rise to this insect, had it lived. The following is
taken from his description: The caterpillar is shaped like a wood-louse,
hairy, and pale green. There is a series of conical purplish spots down the
back, edged first with white, and then with dull red. On the sides there is
a series of pale pinkish oblique stripes, blended with dull red towards the
spiracles.
The perfect insect is very common in dry, stony places, generally near
river-beds, during January, February and March. It flies only a short
distance when disturbed, but is very quick on the wing, and hence difficult
to catch until one becomes accustomed to it. In some places these little
butterflies are so abundant that they take wing like a swarm of blow-flies.
They seldom open their wings whilst at rest, so that when perched on the
ground they are very inconspicuous.
Genus 2.--LYCÆNA, F.
"Eyes hairy. Club of antennæ elongate. Fore-wings with vein 6 separate, 8
and 9 stalked.
"A large genus of nearly universal distribution. Imago usually with a horny
apical hook on anterior tibiæ. Larva short, stout, attenuated at
extremities, with short hairs. Pupa attached by tail and often a central
belt of silk, or unattached or subterranean."--(Meyrick.)
Represented in New Zealand by two species.
LYCÆNA PHOEBE, Murray.
(_Lycæna phoebe_, Murray, Ent. Mo. Mag., 1873, 107.)
(Plate XII., fig. 10, 11 under side.)
This little butterfly is extremely abundant in the neighbourhood of Nelson.
I have also taken it in plenty in several localities in the Wellington
district, and suspect it is common throughout the North Island. In other
parts of the South Island its place appears to be taken by _L. oxleyi_.
The expansion of the wings of the male is 1 inch, of the female 7/8 inch.
On the upper side all the wings are pale blue, broadly bordered with dull
brown. The cilia are white, faintly barred with brownish. _On the under
side all the wings, are pale slaty-grey._ There is a faint blackish spot,
edged with white, near the middle of the fore-wings, and two rows of
similar spots near the termen. The hind-wings have several very faint
white-edged spots near the base, a row near the middle, and another row
almost entirely white near the termen.
The perfect insect frequents waste grounds and sandhills, generally beside
roads and river-beds, and when found is usually very common. It is on the
wing from the beginning of October until the end of March.
LYCÆNA OXLEYI, Feld.
(_Lycæna oxleyi_, Felder, Reise de Novara Lep. ii., 280, pl. 35, fig. 6,
1865.)
(Plate XII., fig. 12 under side.)
According to Mr. Enys[58] this butterfly is common in both islands. I have
taken specimens in the Canterbury and Nelson districts.
On the upper side this species can only be distinguished from the
preceding by its somewhat brighter colour, and by the cilia which are
more sharply barred with brown. _On the under side the whole of the
fore-wings, and the central portions of the hind-wings between the outer
and inner series of spots, are much darker and browner than in L.
phoebe_; the spots themselves are also considerably darker, and the
central series of the hind-wings is almost black. A careful examination,
however, shows that the markings are practically identical in both
species, although of different degrees of {120}intensity. In view of the
great variability, which many species of this genus are known to exhibit
in other countries, I am inclined to think that this butterfly's claim to
specific distinction is a very slender one.
The perfect insect may be taken in similar situations to _Lycæna phoebe_.