We are very imperfectly acquainted with the natural history of the insects of this group in their early stages. Their remote localities, and the rarity of most of the species, have, for the most part, prevented them from falling under the notice of competent observers. The caterpillar and metamorphoses of one of them (O. Heliacon), however, have been described by Dr. Horsfield. Like thecaterpillars ofPapilio, it is furnished with two retractile tentacula; the body is large and thick, and bears eight rows of rather long fleshy prominences, of a conical shape. The chrysalis into which it is transformed is somewhat curved, having the head obtuse, and a few projecting points above the middle. It is suspended by the tail, and a transverse band, which, however, does not encompass the body, but is inserted on each side. (See Fig.)
This group is but of limited extent, but it comprehends some of the largest and most beautiful lepidoptera yet known to us. With one exception, which extends over a portion of the Indian continent, they are confined to the Mollucca, Philippine, and others of the numerous and extensive islands of the Indian Archipelago. The species figured, which is the most beautiful of the whole, and to which Linnæus applies the epithet ofaugust, has been long known and highly prized by collectors. It is named
PLATE 1.1 Ornithoptera Priamus2 Ornithoptera RemusNatives of the island of Amboina.
PLATE 1.
1 Ornithoptera Priamus2 Ornithoptera Remus
Natives of the island of Amboina.
Boisd. Species gener. des Lepidop., 173.—Papilio Priamus,Linn. Latr. Godart, Cramer;Papillons exotiques, 23, A, B;Donovan’s Insects of India, Pl. 3.Female, Pap. Panthous,Linn.;Cramer, 123, A, and 124, A;Don. Ins. of India, Pl. 2.
Boisd. Species gener. des Lepidop., 173.—Papilio Priamus,Linn. Latr. Godart, Cramer;Papillons exotiques, 23, A, B;Donovan’s Insects of India, Pl. 3.
Female, Pap. Panthous,Linn.;Cramer, 123, A, and 124, A;Don. Ins. of India, Pl. 2.
Such a remarkable discrepancy exists in the appearance of the sexes, that they were always regarded as separate species till lately, when their proper relationship to each other happened to be ascertained. The anterior wings of the male are deep velvety black, with two broad longitudinal stripes of rich silky green, curved, and narrowing at both extremities; between these stripes there is a large brownish spot disposed longitudinally. The hinder wings are silky green, with the posterior margin, and a series of four pretty large circular spots, velvet-black; between the black spots and posterior border are two orange spots, and another of larger size towards the base of the wing. On the under side, the anterior wings have a macular band of gilded green, formed of contiguous wedge-shaped spots, an irregular patch towards the centre, and two streaks near the apex. The under side of thehinder wings corresponds to the surface, but the green is of a more golden hue, and the circular spots larger, and seven in number. The antennæ, head, and thorax, black—the latter with a central line and two posterior spots of golden green; breast spotted with red on the sides; abdomen bright yellow.
The female is considerably larger, frequently measuring nearly eight inches between the tips of the wings. The prevailing colour is dark brown, deepening towards the extremities of the wings; the upper pair traversed by a macular band of impure white, the spots unequal and generally interrupted or notched; the hinder pair having a curved row of six large wedge-shaped spots behind, of a whitish colour powdered with black, the base tinged with yellow, and each with an orbicular black spot in the centre. Head and thorax entirely black, the abdomen whitish yellow above and deep yellow beneath.
Varieties of both sexes have occurred, for there seems little reason to doubt that the insect figured by Guerin (Voyage de la Coquille, Ins., pl. 13, fig. 1 and 2) under the name ofP. urvillianus, is a variety of the male, while a female variety is described by Boisduval28. In the former, the green of the superior wings is replaced by violet-blue of a very brilliant tint, and in the hinder part that colour runs in a broad stripe along the nervures, dilatingconsiderably towards the posterior margin. This example was found at Offack.
The Priam butterfly is found in the islands of Amboina, Rawack, and Ceram. It has been observed to hover about theMangifera Indicain preference to other trees, and it has hence been conjectured that it deposits its eggs on the leaves, and that they constitute the food of the caterpillar. It never occurs in large numbers, and is hence somewhat rare in collections. Specimens of both sexes are preserved in the valuable collection of insects belonging to the Edinburgh University Museum.
Pap. Remus,Fabr. Godart,Cramer, 135, A, 136, A, and 386, A, B.—Pap. hypolithus, var.Cramer, 10, A, B, 11, A, B.
Pap. Remus,Fabr. Godart,Cramer, 135, A, 136, A, and 386, A, B.—Pap. hypolithus, var.Cramer, 10, A, B, 11, A, B.
One of the largest species, the expansion of the wings sometimes measuring nearly eight inches. The superior pair are black, with a slight greenish reflection, and having a broad greyish-white stripe running along each side of the secondary nervures. The inferior wings are dark grey on the surface, and of a shining white on the under side, the latter having a black sinuated border interrupted by seven irregular spots of golden-yellow diminishing in size as they approach the abdominal margin. In the female, which is the sex represented on the adjoining plate, the golden-yellow spots are much larger, somewhat wedge-shaped, and each of them, except the outermost, marked with a large oval black spot. The abdomen is bright yellow above, paler on the under side, and irregularly spotted with black; the head, thorax, breast, and antennæ entirely of the latter colour.
The native country of this elegant species is the island of Amboina.
Passing from the Ornithoptera, which may be esteemed the chiefs and princes of their race, we now come to the Papilios, properly so called, some of which are scarcely inferior in their dimensions and imposing aspect. Such, at least, is the case withP. AntimachusandP. Antenor, which besides their large size, partake of some of the other characters of the group just referred to, and thus form the passage from it to Papilio. But the great majority are of very inferior size, and many of them so dissimilar in aspect that they might be thought to afford sufficient distinctions for arranging them in numerous different genera. On a close examination, however, the species are found to be so intimately allied in all essential parts of structure, that the most judicious systematists have not attempted to separate them. Such authors as have followed an opposite course, Hubner for example, have proved by no means successful in establishing sub-divisions; and the only effect of such a proceeding is to encumber the subject with a number of generic names without eliciting a more philosophical arrangement, or one better adapted to aid the student. As at present constituted, the genus is compact andnatural; and if it were broken up by attaching undue importance to very subordinate characters, no partial change would suffice; for any principle that might be thought to justify the establishment of one genus, would render it necessary, if consistently acted upon, to create not fewer than thirty or forty. One of the most obvious differences among the species is the presence or absence of a tail; but an arrangement founded on this circumstance, separates, by a wide interval, kinds which are in other respects most closely allied. Nay, the tail itself is often more or less developed in the same species, being sometimes distinct in the one sex while it is inconspicuous or wanting in the other; its value as a diagnosis of genera is thus in a great measure destroyed.
Considerable differences likewise prevail in the appearance of the caterpillars, but these are too imperfectly known to be made the groundwork of an arrangement, even if they were likely to be available for such a purpose by indicating natural groups or affording additional means of characterising them. “Some of them,” says Dr. Boisduval, “such as those ofMachaon,Alexanor,Asterias, are cylindrical and smooth; others (Crassus,Philenor), are protected with rather long fleshy prominences; in a very great number (Pammon,Memnon,Chalchas, &c.) the two first segments are attenuated, and capable of being retracted under the third and fourth, which are dilated and often ornamented with ocular spots analogous to those presented bymany of theSphingides; others are short and thick, and furnished with numerous rather short fleshy points; finally, there are some (Podalirius,Ajax,Antiphates) which somewhat resemble snails in shape. The caterpillars ofPapiliomay be distinguished from those of other genera belonging to the same tribe by the following characters:—They differ from those ofOrnithopterain their retractile tentaculum not being enclosed in two exterior cases; from those ofThais, in the projections which they sometimes present being never hispid at the extremity; and from those ofParnassius, in the body being always free from pubescence; but it is more particularly from the characters drawn from the chrysalis and perfect insect that this last genus is distinguished fromPapilio29.”
The perfect insects are characterised by very short palpi not passing beyond the eyes, all the joints very indistinct, the third quite invisible; antennæ pretty long, the club slightly curved upwards; abdomen pretty large, the anal valves in the male of moderate size; wings rather strong, the inferior pair having the abdominal margin folded upwards and leaving the abdomen free, their exterior border more or less dentated, and often prolonged posteriorly into a tail.
According to the above definition, the genus comprehends rather upwards of 220 species. They are distributed over almost every quarter of the globe,but are by far most abundant in intertropical countries. They are more numerous in the new continent than the old, but the difference is by no means considerable. In the former, Brazil alone produces between forty and fifty species; in the latter, the greatest number occur in the islands of the Indian Archipelago, already referred to as the native country of the magnificent Ornithoptera. The continental parts of India, China, Java, &c. likewise possess many fine species, and a few are found in New Holland. Europe is exceedingly poor in insects belonging to this group, there being only four indigenous kinds. These areP. Xuthus,P. Alexanor,P. Machaon, andP. Podalirius; the two latter, which are the most common, are well known to extend to Britain.
The first species selected to exemplify one of the prevailing forms of this important genus, is
PLATE 2.Lizars sc.1. Papilio Memnon.China.2. Pap. Æneas.Surinam.
PLATE 2.
Lizars sc.
1. Papilio Memnon.China.2. Pap. Æneas.Surinam.
Linn. Fabr. Cramer, 91, C.—Papilio Agenor,Linn. Fabr. Cramer, 32, A, B.
Linn. Fabr. Cramer, 91, C.—Papilio Agenor,Linn. Fabr. Cramer, 32, A, B.
The upper wings in this species expand about five inches; they are blackish and marked with numerous longitudinal rays of a greyish-ash colour, each of them having a large blood-red or ochrey-yellow triangular patch at the base. The inferior wings are waved on the hinder margin, and narrowly edged with white in the emarginations, the disk almost entirely occupied by a broad white band divided by the dark nervures, the hinder portion dusky with a series of deep-black spots of an ovate or rounded form, that placed on the anal angle smaller than the rest and encircled with fulvous, which colour extends to the extremity of the internal border; on the under side they are spotted with red or ochre-yellow at the base: body black, the prothorax marked with several white points.
The above description applies to one of the female varieties ofP. Memnon, which was usually regarded as a distinct species and known by the name ofAgenor. Indeed it is so unlike the male,that authors would probably never have thought of associating them, had they not been reared from the same description of caterpillar. The male is entirely without the basal red spot, and the dark ground colour has a greenish reflection; the upper wings have a red or ochreous spot at the base on the under side, and there are likewise four small red marks on the same part of the inferior wings: the latter are deep black anteriorly and cinereous behind; the cinereous portions containing two rows of deep black rounded spots, that next the anal angle encircled with yellow.P. Androgeosof Cramer (pl. 91, A. B.) is a variety of this sex, while theP. Anceus, andP. Laomedon, of the same iconographist are varieties of the female.
The caterpillar, which feeds on the different kinds ofCitrus, is described by Dr. Horsfield as of a green colour, with an ocelliform lateral mark on the third segment, and a transverse white band; a band of pale green between the fourth and fifth segments, and an oblique white stripe on the eighth and ninth; the anal segment likewise of that colour. The anterior part of the body is considerably attenuated, similar to what is observed in the caterpillars of many of the Hawkmoths. Chrysalis green, reddish-yellow on the back.
This insect is found in China, and the islands of the Indian Ocean, and is rather a common species.
Linn., Fabr., Cramer, Pl. 279, Figs. A, B, C, D.—Rösel Insect.vol. iv. Pl. 2, Fig. 2.—Godart, Encyclop.No. 24.—Boisduval, Spec. gener.286, No. 112.
Linn., Fabr., Cramer, Pl. 279, Figs. A, B, C, D.—Rösel Insect.vol. iv. Pl. 2, Fig. 2.—Godart, Encyclop.No. 24.—Boisduval, Spec. gener.286, No. 112.
We have figured this insect as characteristic of a pretty extensive group of butterflies inhabiting South America, distinguished by a peculiar outline, and a certain similarity of design in the markings. The space between the tips of the anterior wings always exceeds by more than one half the space between the anterior edge of these wings and the hinder margin of the posterior pair; that is to say, the width of the insect, with its wings expanded, is more than double its length. The ground colour of the wings is generally deep black, with one or two insulated patches of some light colour on the disk of the anterior pair, and a large blood-red patch in the middle of the hinder wings; the latter deeply dentated on the margin, but without a tail. InP. Æneasthe upper wings expand about three inches and a quarter: they are velvet-black, becoming lighter towards the apex, with a pretty large green spot, of a somewhat quadrangular shape, towards the interior border, surmounted by three smallerones of an obscure white. Inferior wings likewise velvet-black, with a large discoidal patch, deep red anteriorly and carmine behind intersected by dark nervures; posterior margin with obtuse unequal dentations, the notches margined with red. Under side of the inferior wings with five oval, rose-coloured spots, placed in an irregular transverse line. Body black, the sides of the breast spotted with red.
The insect regarded as the female of this species differs greatly from the above: the wings are more rounded at the apex, and there is only a single spot, of shining green, on the upper pair: the notches of the hinder wings bordered with white.
This butterfly is found in greatest plenty in Surinam, but it likewise occurs in other quarters of South America.
The other species belonging to this group, easily recognised by their peculiarfacies, are,P. Opleus,Hippason,Euristeus,Polymetus,Jacinthus,Eurymas,Eurymedes,Echelus,Ariarathes,Marcius,Numa(Boisd.),Cœlus(Lacordair),Arbates,Anchises,Dimas,Iphidamas,Arcas, and a few others.
PLATE 3.Lizars sc.1. Papilio Ascanius.Brazil.2. Pap. Paris.China.
PLATE 3.
Lizars sc.
1. Papilio Ascanius.Brazil.2. Pap. Paris.China.
Fabr. Drury’s Exot. Insects, iii. Pl. ix. fig. 1;Cramer, Pl. xiv. fig. A.
This insect may be regarded as the type of another South American group, somewhat allied to the preceding in general appearance, and in the distribution of colours, but presenting at the same time considerable differences. The length of the hinder wings is proportionally much greater, and each of them has a pretty long spatula-shaped tail. In the species figured, the wings are deep-black above, inclining to brown on the under side; the superior pair with a broad transverse white band, crossed by black nervures, and surmounted by a white arch, or two or three small white spots at the extremity of the discoidal cell. The hinder wings are likewise traversed by a wide band, frequently deeply notched or palmate, white anteriorly, and tinged with carmine behind; beyond which there is a series of narrow, slightly lunate, red spots parallel with the margin; tail of moderate length, black: body black, with red spots on the sides of the breast and abdomen.
This beautiful butterfly is not uncommon in the northern regions of Brazil, but it becomes scarce in the south.
Linn. Fabr. Drury’s Ins.Pl. xii. fig. 1;Cramer, Pl. 103, A, B;Boisd. Spec. gen.p. 208.
P. Ulysses,Perianthus,Bianor,Polyctor(Boisd.),Blumer(Boisd.),Crino,Palinurus,Paris, andArjuna, form a very natural group of butterflies, distributed over the eastern parts of the continent of Asia, and the islands of the Indian Archipelago. The great breadth of the wings and tail, combined with the general darkness of their colours, give them a somewhat heavy appearance, but this is often in some degree relieved by great richness of decoration. They are occasionally ornamented with patches of very brilliant azure-blue, and nearly all of them are sprinkled with shining points of golden-green, making the surface appear as if powdered with gold-dust. The species figured as an example is a native of China, and is often received in collections from that country, although it does not appear to be very common. In many cabinets a closely allied species stands for this, which is so similar that the two may easily be confounded. The species alluded to isPap. Arjuna, a native of Java, accurately described by Dr. Horsfield; but although now regarded asdistinct, it may ultimately prove to be a mere local variety. Godart confounds three species, conceiving thatP. Bianorwas the female ofP. Paris, andP. Arjunaa variety.30The extension of the wings inP. Parisis about four inches; the surface dark-brown, powdered with particles of golden-green, which are condensed into two or three spots near the extremity of the inner border of the upper wings: the under wings have, towards the middle, a large patch of very brilliant azure-blue, sinuated posteriorly, where it is on a line with a series of spots formed by the union or condensation of the minute golden atoms; the anal angle with an ocellated spot having a red iris surmounted by a very narrow violet arc: tail black: under side brown, sprinkled with grey particles, which are so condensed towards the apex of the upper wings as to form a broad transverse band, interrupted by dark nervures: under wings with a posterior row of seven ocelliform spots, dark in the centre and having a yellowish-red iris, divided anteriorly by a slender violet arc: body black, powdered with particles, in the same manner as the wings.
The female differs only in the ground colour being a little darker, and in having a transverse ray of condensed particles, which reaches from the internal border nearly to the middle.
The caterpillar is probably very similar to that ofP. Arjuna, described by Dr. Horsfield.31
Linn. Fabr. Cramer, Pl. 202, fig. A, B;Merian’s Insec. Surin.Pl. 43.
The two insects delineated on the adjoining plate exemplify a form which prevails among a pretty extensive group of the genusPapilio, and which is familiar to European entomologists as represented in a very characteristic manner by the beautifulP. Podalirius. The prolongation of the hinder wings into a long narrow tail is the most striking feature, and has caused them to be termed swallow tails. The ground colour is for the most part pale,—light yellow, or green,—and the wings are marked with numerous transverse stripes of dark brown or black. They are not confined to any particular country, but are distributed over most regions of the globe, although the greatest number are found in Brazil and other parts of America.P. Protesilausis one of the most common inhabiting the country just named. It expands nearly four inches; surface pale white, almost transparent, tinged with green at the base of the superior wings; the latter having seven narrow transverse black bands commencing at the anterior margin, the innermost five very short, the sixth descendingto the internal angle, where it unites with the seventh, which runs along the margin: inferior wings black at the hinder extremity, that colour divided by two rows of large lunules of the ground colour, the anal angle with a bright transverse spot of carmine-red; tail very long and narrow, bordered with white, and having before its base two or three greyish-blue spots, composed of minute particles. On the under side the most remarkable differences are, that the two interior bands are prolonged to the anal angle, where they unite, and the outer one is bordered on one of its sides with a stripe of carmine: body whitish, with a broad black stripe along the back, another on the sides, and three along the belly.
PLATE 4.Lizars sc.1. Papilio Protesilaus.Brazil.2. Pap. Sinon.Jamaica.
PLATE 4.
Lizars sc.
1. Papilio Protesilaus.Brazil.2. Pap. Sinon.Jamaica.
Fabr. Cramer, Pl. 317, fig. C, D, E, F.—Herbst. Pap.Pl. 44, fig. 5, 6.—Pap. Protesilaus,Drury, vol. i. Pl. 22, fig. 3, 4.
Fabr. Cramer, Pl. 317, fig. C, D, E, F.—Herbst. Pap.Pl. 44, fig. 5, 6.—Pap. Protesilaus,Drury, vol. i. Pl. 22, fig. 3, 4.
Considerably less than the preceding, the space between the tips of the wings seldom exceeding three inches; wings black, with pale coloured bands slightly tinged with green; viz. two towards the base, extending across both wings, the third very slender and short, the fourth forming a pretty broad central stripe bifid anteriorly, and terminating in a point near the middle of the hinder wings; beyond this are two transverse spots or rudimentary bands anteriorly, and lastly a macular one of rounded spots parallel with the hinder margin; the latter likewise extends along the hinder wings, the spots assuming a crescent shape; anal angle marked with an oblique vermilion spot; tail long, linear, and black. Under side brown, the design corresponding to that on the surface, but having a narrow stripe of red near the middle, placed in a dark band and edged with white on the anal angle: body black, with two white streaks on the thorax, the abdomen ringed with white above, and greyish-white beneath.
Inhabits Jamaica, Florida, and various parts of South America.
PLATE 5.Lizars sc.1. Leptocircus Curius.1 Java.2. Thais Medesicaste.2 Europe &c.
PLATE 5.
Lizars sc.
1. Leptocircus Curius.1 Java.2. Thais Medesicaste.2 Europe &c.
Swainson’s Zoolog. Illus.2d series, Pl. 106.—Boisduv. Spec. gener.380.—Pap. Curius,Fabr.—Donov. Insects of India.—Erycina Curius,Godart, Ency. Meth.
Swainson’s Zoolog. Illus.2d series, Pl. 106.—Boisduv. Spec. gener.380.—Pap. Curius,Fabr.—Donov. Insects of India.—Erycina Curius,Godart, Ency. Meth.
This genus was first proposed by Mr. Swainson for the reception of a remarkable insect from Siam and Java, to which various situations had been assigned by different naturalists. In external aspect it has all the appearance of anErycina, but, on examining the disposition of the nervures of the wings, the form of the palpi and antennæ, together with the structure of the feet, which are all complete in both sexes, its close affinity to the truePapilionesbecomes apparent. The head and body are very thick; abdomen short; eyes large and salient; palpi very short, the articulations very indistinct; antennæ rather long, thickening at the extremity into a club which is slightly curved upwards. The anterior wings are nearly hyaline, and have the discoidal cell closed; the posterior folded longitudinally, and each drawn out into a very long tail curved at the extremity. The expansion of the wings, in the only known species, is about an inch and a half; the inner half of the superior pair black, traversed in the middle by a pretty broad green band; the exterior portion, consisting of a large triangular space, transparent, with the nervures and external borderblack. The inferior wings are black, edged externally with white, and having a central blue band in continuation of the anterior one. On the under side, the base of all the wings is whitish, and the abdominal margin of the under pair is marked with three curved white streaks: abdomen whitish beneath, and having a double row of black dots on each side. In the female the bands on the wings are white.
A few years ago this curious butterfly was to be found in very few cabinets, but it is now received not unfrequently.
Godart’s Pap. de France, ii. Pl. 3, fig. 3, 4.—Pap. Medesicaste,Hubn. Pap.124, fig. 632.—Pap. Rumina,Hubn.Pl. 394, 395.—Thais Honnoratii,Boisd. Icon.Pl. 3, fig. 3-5, var.
Godart’s Pap. de France, ii. Pl. 3, fig. 3, 4.—Pap. Medesicaste,Hubn. Pap.124, fig. 632.—Pap. Rumina,Hubn.Pl. 394, 395.—Thais Honnoratii,Boisd. Icon.Pl. 3, fig. 3-5, var.
The genus Thais is confined to the southern countries of Europe, the north of Africa, and Asia Minor. All the species are of moderate size, and may at once be known by the peculiar design of the colouring of the wings, which are always yellow spotted with red and black, and bordered externally with a dark festooned line. The palpi are composed of three nearly equal articulations, and rise conspicuously above the head; the antennæ rather short and terminating in a club slightly curved upwards. The body is slender, and the abdominal margin of thehinder pair of wings is curved downwards as if to leave room for the movements of the abdomen. The caterpillars are short and cylindrical, covered with fleshy spines and short hairs, the first segment provided with a fleshy bifurcated tentaculum. They live solitarily or in small groups on theAristolochia, and obviously bear a considerable analogy, as well as the perfect insect, toParnassius. The chrysalis is cylindrico-conic, somewhat angular in front.
The species represented on the annexed plate may possibly be a variety ofT. Rumina. Surface pale ochreous yellow, with a black marginal band divided on the upper wings by a series of eight or nine yellow spots; along the costal margin are several black irregular transverse bands, some of them inclosing rounded red spots; inferior wings with a black festooned line along the exterior border; towards the base are always three red spots, one near the abdominal margin, another in the upper part of the discoidal cell, and a third near the anterior edge, usually united in the form of a transverse band with that in the cell. Body blackish, marked with rows of fulvous spots.
The caterpillar lives on theAristolochia pistolochia. Sometimes the colour is reddish-yellow, at other times brown or dull yellowish-green, with numerous rows of black lines often interrupted; the body bearing six rows of fleshy spines, of an orange yellow hue, and ciliated with black at the extremity.
The insect is found in Languedoc, in the neighbourhood of Digne, &c.
According to the definition which it has been found necessary to give to this genus in general works on the lepidoptera, it includes a very extensive range of species, and may be said to be represented in this country by the white butterflies, which British authors generally place in the genusPontia. In this extended acceptation, however, it comprehends individuals somewhat diversified in appearance, and which may be assumed as the types of particular groups or sub-divisions, perhaps of sufficient importance ultimately to become genera, if a corresponding dissimilarity be found to characterise their different states and metamorphoses. The antennæ are of moderate length or slightly elongated, the articulations pretty distinct, the club obconic and compressed; palpi thickly covered with fascicles of long hairs, the terminal joint at least as long as the penultimate: wings of ordinary size, the discoidal cell closed; the under pair partially embracing the abdomen: eyes naked, head rather small.
The caterpillar is elongated, and nearly cylindrical, pubescent, and marked with longitudinal rays; the head small and rounded. Chrysalis terminating in a single conical point anteriorly, attached by the tail and a medial band.
Not fewer than one hundred and sixty-six different kinds of butterflies are referred to this genus. “They are diffused,” says Dr. Boisduval, “nearly over the whole globe, but are particularly abundant in the intertropical countries of the old continent. Considering the extent of the New World, it produces comparatively few species. The most remarkable inhabit Africa, the Indian continent and Archipelago, and New Holland. Such of the caterpillars as are known, feed almost exclusively on thecruciferæ,residaceæ,tropioliæ, andcaparideæ. OurP. Cratægiis the only one in Europe which lives on trees; but it is probable that many exotic kinds are of the same habits. The prevailing colour among these lepidoptera is white, more or less pure, with a black border, variable in width, but seldom wanting. There are likewise species in which the ground colour is yellow or even orange, while in others it is blackish or blue, &c. The inferior face of the posterior wings generally differs considerably from the upper, and is often very agreeably varied with brilliant colours. The sexual differences, in certain species, are very conspicuous, particularly on the surface; in others, they are much less so, the females being distinguished from the males only by a somewhat wider border, or by having the upper wings more rounded at the apex32.”
Godart, Boisd.—Pap. Hyparete,Fabr.—Pap. Eucharis,Drury’s Insect.Pl. 10, fig. 5, 6.—Cramer, Pl. 201, fig. B, C ♂; Pl. 202, fig. C ♀.
Godart, Boisd.—Pap. Hyparete,Fabr.—Pap. Eucharis,Drury’s Insect.Pl. 10, fig. 5, 6.—Cramer, Pl. 201, fig. B, C ♂; Pl. 202, fig. C ♀.
This pretty insect belongs to a sub-division which inhabits the continent of India and the adjacent islands. The wings, which expand about three inches, are white, very faintly tinged with blue, with a broad black border, interrupted by a series of rather larger oval spots, the same as the ground colour on the upper wings, but flesh-colour on the under; the nervures, on the former, defined by a dilated black line: in the female, this is likewise the case with the inferior wings. Under side of the primary wings similar to the surface, except three marginal spots towards the apex, which are yellowish in the male and of a bright yellow in the female; secondary wings bright yellow beneath, the nervures black, and along the hinder border a row of large oval, or somewhat heart-shaped, scarlet spots, placed in a white circle; body whitish.
Common in Bengal, and many places in the more eastern parts of Asia.
PLATE 6.Lizars sc.1. & 2. Pieris Epicharis.India.3. P. Philyra.Amboina.
PLATE 6.
Lizars sc.
1. & 2. Pieris Epicharis.India.3. P. Philyra.Amboina.
Godart, Boisd.—Pap. Hyparete,Cramer, Pl. 210, fig. A, B, and Pl. 339, fig. E, F.
The figure above referred to represents the under side of the female of this handsome species. The male is of a bluish-white above, surrounded with a black external margin, and having a black patch on the tip of the anterior wings, divided by an arched row of white oval spots; the female nearly black above, the inner half of the wings dull white, the apex with white oval spots: on the under side both sexes are black, with the inner half of all the wings yellow, sprinkled with minute black points; the upper pair having a small white spot at the extremity of the discoidal cell, and a posterior row of yellow oval spots largest towards the anterior margin; the under pair with seven long wedge-shaped reddish-brown spots behind the middle, becoming somewhat lighter posteriorly, making the hinder part of the wing from the middle of the discoidal cell sometimes appear entirely of that colour, with dilated black nervures and a black border.
Inhabits Amboina, New Guinea, &c.Pieris Plexaris, described by Godart (Encyc. Meth.p. 151) from a figure in Donovan’s Insects of New Holland, is regarded by a recent author as a variety.
Godart, Boisd.—Pap. Belisama,Cramer, Pl. 258, fig. A, B, C, D.
P. Belisamais another of these handsome and warmly tinted species which abound in Eastern Asia and the adjacent islands. It is generally about a third larger than our common cabbage butterflies, but smaller examples frequently occur; the male yellowish-white above, with the whole of the outer angle and the costa of the anterior wings black; the limb of the hinder pair of the same colour. Female with the greater portion of the upper wings black, the remainder pale ochreous. Under side of the upper wings black in both sexes, with a group of yellow spots on the apex, and a small transverse whitish streak at the extremity of the discoidal cell; the same side of the under wings bright yellow, inclining to orange, with a black posterior border dentated on the inner side, and bearing a row of rounded yellow spots; at the base there is a transverse red stripe lying parallel with the margin; body whitish; antennæ black.
Occurs plentifully in Java, Amboina, Sumatra, &c.
PLATE 7.Lizars sc.1. Java.2. Cape.3. Amboina.1. Pieris Belisama.2. Anthocharis Danai.3. Iphias Leucippe.
PLATE 7.
Lizars sc.
1. Java.2. Cape.3. Amboina.1. Pieris Belisama.2. Anthocharis Danai.3. Iphias Leucippe.
A section ofPierishas lately been established as a genus under the above name, founded, however, on characters not of a very decided description. The most important one perhaps is the shape of the chrysalis, which is boat-shaped, or equally attenuated to both extremities, somewhat arched, and without lateral points. The antennæ of the perfect insect are short, with the articulations distinctly marked, the club rather abrupt and forming an ovoid compressed mass. The common British speciesMancipium Cardaminesis referred to it, and this insect may be regarded as a characteristic example of the kinds which it includes. Like theOrange-tip, the majority have a patch of bright red on the tips of the anterior wings, and the under side of the posterior is often beautifully marked with green and pearl white. Several other species, besides that just mentioned, are natives of Europe, but their principal resort seems to be the intertropical countries of Africa.
Boisd.—Pap. Danæ,Fabr., Donov. Insects of India, Pl. 1, fig. 2.—Pap. Eborea,Cramer, Pl. 352, fig. C, D, E, F.—Pieris Danæ,Godart.—Pontia Danæ,Horsfield, Insects of Ind. Comp., p. 141, 68.
Boisd.—Pap. Danæ,Fabr., Donov. Insects of India, Pl. 1, fig. 2.—Pap. Eborea,Cramer, Pl. 352, fig. C, D, E, F.—Pieris Danæ,Godart.—Pontia Danæ,Horsfield, Insects of Ind. Comp., p. 141, 68.
Surface of the male pure white; the upper wings having a large triangular patch of bright carmine at the extremity bounded on the inner side by a black oblique band, and narrowly margined with the same colour externally, where the nervures are likewise black; there is likewise a black point at the extremity of the discoidal cell: under wings with a black border, variable in breadth, and occasionally macular. Under side impure white, with a black streak at the extremity of all the discoidal cells, those on the hinder wings divided by a reddish brown point; the apex of the upper wings fulvous-red, divided by a curved row of blackish spots, continued across the under wings as far as the anal angle. The female differs from the male in having a large space at the base of the wings dusky, andthe marginal hand wider, and better defined on its inner edge.
Males sometimes occur in which the marginal band is entirely wanting in the hinder wings.
Found in the East Indies, at the Cape of Good Hope, &c.
The two conspicuous insects which at present compose this genus, were wont to be referred either to Pieris or Colias. They have certainly a close relation to both, as well as toAnthocharis, but the following characters seem to warrant their separation; antennæ long, gradually increasing into a club which is truncated at the extremity; palpi contiguous and compressed, thickly covered with scales cut of equal length, the terminal joint minute and truncated; head clothed with rather long projecting scaly hairs; thorax robust; abdomen much shorter than the inferior wings; wings very large and strong, the discoidal cell closed. The caterpillar is attenuated at both extremities and shagreened on the surface, the chrysalis much arched and fusiform at both ends.
Pap. Leucippe,Fabr. Cramer, Pl. 36, fig. A, B, C.—Donovan, Insects of India.—Pieris Leucippe,Godart.
One of the largest of thePierides, frequently measuring upwards of four inches between the tips of the wings; anterior pair bright fulvous red, clouded at the base with greenish yellow, the nervures and all the exterior parts black, the female with a row of fulvous spots parallel with the external margin, and not far from it; posterior wings citron-yellow, having a dentated or macular black border in the female, usually preceded by a curved line of spots of the same colour; but in the male marked with only one or two black spots towards the external border. Under side deep fulvous in both sexes, sprinkled with black points and marked with short transverse dusky lines, which are greatly most numerous in the female; head and thorax brown; abdomen citron-yellow; antennæ black, the extremity of the club reddish.
It is a native of Amboina; we have seen no particular account of the caterpillar, but it is no doubt similar to that ofT. Glaucippe, which is described by Dr. Horsfield as of a green colour with a white lateral ray. It feeds on a species ofCapparis.
This genus is composed of a selection of species from Colias, to which it bears a very close relation. It is not long since it was proposed by Dr Boisduval, who thinks that the following characters entitle it to this distinction. Palpi approximating and very much compressed, clothed with short hairs and dense scales, the terminal joint conical and much shorter than the preceding one; antennæ thickening gradually from the base to the apex, which is distinctly truncated; body robust, the abdomen much shorter than the inferior wings; the latter forming a groove which completely embraces the under side of the abdomen. The caterpillars are naked and somewhat attenuated at both extremities; the chrysalis arched, or boat shaped, with the extremities drawn out to a narrow point; always attached by the tail and a transverse band.
According to the manner in which they have been respectively constituted,Callidryastherefore is best distinguished from Colias by the antennæ, which in the latter terminate in an obconical club; and fromRhodocera(includingGonopteryxof Dr. Leach), which has these organs likewise truncated, by the shape of the wings, which never present acute angular projections. The prevailing colour of thespecies is yellow, from deep orange to the palest sulphur yellow. The females are usually of a paler hue than the males, and the sexual differences are strongly marked in other particulars. On the under side of the wings there are almost invariably one or two small spots, near the middle, of a silvery or rusty-brown hue; these are either wanting or very minute in the males, while they are distinctly marked in the females. The former sex, in the majority of species, presents a very peculiar character in having the anterior edge of the under wings provided with a kind of pulverulent glandular sac, which varies much in size and colour in different species.
A great similarity prevails among the different species ofCallidryas, and they are consequently difficult to determine. They inhabit the intertropical regions of the two continents.
Pap. Eubule,Linn. Cramer, Pl. 120, F, C.—Caterpillar,Stoll’s Supp. to Cramer, Pl. 3, fig. 1, A.—Callidryas Eubule,Boisd. Species general, i. 613.
Pap. Eubule,Linn. Cramer, Pl. 120, F, C.—Caterpillar,Stoll’s Supp. to Cramer, Pl. 3, fig. 1, A.—Callidryas Eubule,Boisd. Species general, i. 613.
This insect so closely resemblesC. Marcellinathat it is possible they would still have continued to be confounded, as they were by the earlier entomologists, had not the different appearance of the caterpillar indicated their essential distinction. In the male the surface of the wings is a fine citron-yellow, with a narrow border of a deeper hue; the fringe of all the wings marked at remote intervals with small rust-coloured spots. Beneath the colour is red, or brownish-yellow; the upper wings with a double ferruginous spot at the extremity of the discoidal cell, and a brownish zig-zag ray towards the outer margin; the under wings likewise with two rounded discoidal spots, silvery in the centre, and surrounded by a rust-coloured ring; there are likewise several undulating brown lines running across the surface more or less distinctly defined. The female is bright yellow inclining to orange, the inferior wings much rounded, and having an orange-coloured fringe interrupted with transverse brownstripes. The position and appearance of the discoidal spots similar to what has been described in the male: the under side deep ochre yellow. Body yellow, with greenish hairs on the thorax; antennæ, and terminal joint of the palpi, rose-colour mixed with brown.