PLATE XVIII. Fig. 2.
Pap. Amphinome, _Linn. Cramer_, Pl. 54, fig. E, F.--_Roesel’s Ins._ i,
Pl. 10, fig. 1, 2; _Merian, Ins. Surin._ Pl. 8.--Le Papier Marbré de
la Chine, _Daubenton_, Pl. enl. 92, fig. 7, 8.
Bears considerable resemblance to the preceding on the upper side, the
ground colour being glossy black, the whole surface variegated with
waved streaks and spots of greenish-blue; these markings frequently
assume the appearance of hieroglyphics, and towards the hinder margin
of the inferior wings they indistinctly represent a series of oval
ocelli. Both sexes have a broad oblique white band across the upper
wings, but it is sinuated on the edges, while in the female of _P.
Arethusa_ the edges are always entire. On the under side the general
colour is brown; the upper wings with a triangular red patch at the
base, the colour between this and the central white band is black
glossed with green; beyond the white band are two rows of white points,
one of them lying along the margin. The under wings have the anterior
half red, that colour divided by rays of greenish-black, which occupies
the whole of the hinder portion, except where it is interrupted by
a few whitish spots. Body coloured like the wings above, greyish
beneath, the breast red.
We are indebted to Madam Merian for a representation of the
caterpillar, the peculiar appendages of which have been already
mentioned. The colour of its body is a delicate green, with
longitudinal rays alternately blue and yellow; the pectoral legs black;
the head dull yellow. It feeds on the _Jasminum Indicum_. The chrysalis
is of a yellow colour.
The insect inhabits various parts of South America, in some places
rather plentifully.