"The garden is fragrant everywhere;In its lily-bugles the gold bee sups,And butterflies flutter on winglets fairRound the tremulous meadow buttercups."Munkittrick.
"The garden is fragrant everywhere;In its lily-bugles the gold bee sups,And butterflies flutter on winglets fairRound the tremulous meadow buttercups."Munkittrick.
Munkittrick.
Butterfly.-Small or medium-sized butterflies, very closely approximating in form and color the species of the genusArgynnis, in which they are included by many writers. The principal structural difference between the two genera is found in the fact that in the genusBrenthisonly one of the subcostal nervules arises before or at the end of the cell of the primaries, while inArgynnisthe two innermost subcostal nervules thus arise. InBrenthisthe palpi are not as stout as inArgynnis, and the short basal spur or branch of the median vein of the front wings,which is characteristic of the latter genus, is altogether lacking inBrenthis.
Egg.—The eggs are subconical, almost twice as high as wide, truncated at the top, and marked with thirteen or fourteen raised longitudinal ridges connected by a multitude of smaller cross-ridges.
Larva.—The caterpillars are not noticeably different in their general appearance from those of the genusArgynnis, except that they are smaller and generally not as dark in color as the larvæ of the latter genus. They feed, like the caterpillars ofArgynnis, upon violets.
Chrysalis.—The chrysalis is pendant, about six tenths of an inch long, and armed with two rows of sharp conical tubercles on the back.
Fig. 90.—Neuration of the genusBrenthis, enlarged.
(1)Brenthis myrina, Cramer, Plate XV, Fig. 1, ♂; Fig. 2, ♂,under side; Plate V, Figs. 12-14,chrysalis(The Silver-bordered Fritillary).
Butterfly.—The upper side of the wings is fulvous; the black markings are light, the borders heavy. The fore wings on the under side are yellowish-fulvous, ferruginous at the tip, with the marginal spots lightly silvered. The hind wings are ferruginous, mottled with buff. The spots, which are small, are well silvered. Expanse, ♂, 1.40 inch; ♁, 1.70 inch.
Egg.—The egg is conoidal, about one third higher than wide, marked by sixteen or seventeen vertical ribs, between which are a number of delicate cross-lines. It is pale greenish-yellow in color.
Caterpillar.—The caterpillar has been carefully studied, and its various stages are fully described in "The Butterflies of New England," by Dr. Scudder. In its final stage it is about seven eighths of an inch long, dark olive-brown, marked with green, the segments being adorned with fleshy tubercles armed with needle-shaped projections, the tubercles on the side of the first thoracic segment being four times as long as the others, cylindrical in form, and blunt at the upper end, the spines projecting upward at an angle of forty-five degrees to the axis of the tubercle.
Chrysalis.—The chrysalis is yellowish-brown, spotted with darker brown spots, those of the thoracic and first and second abdominal segments having the lustre of mother-of-pearl.
This very pretty little species has a wide range, extending from New England to Montana, from Nova Scotia to Alaska, and southward along the ridges of the Alleghanies into Virginia and the mountains of North Carolina.
(2)Brenthis triclaris, Hübner, Plate XV, Fig. 3, ♂ (Hübner's Fritillary).
Butterfly, ♂.—The male above is bright fulvous, with the base of the fore wings and the inner margin of the hind wings heavily obscured with blackish scales. The usual dark markings are finer than in the preceding species; the black marginal borders are not so heavy. The submarginal spots are relatively large and distinct in most specimens, and uniform in size. The light spots of the under side of the median band of the hind wings show through from below on the upper side lighter than the ground-color of the wings. On the under side the fore wings are fulvous, tipped with ferruginous. The hind wings are broadly ferruginous, with a couple of bright-yellow spots near the base and a curved band of yellow spots crossing the median area. The outer margin about the middle is marked with pale fulvous. The spots on the under side are none of them silvered.
♁.—The female is much paler than the male in most cases, and the marginal spots within the lunules are very pale, almost white. The submarginal row of round black spots is relatively large and distinct, quite uniform in size. On the under side the wings are much more conspicuously marked on the secondaries than in the male sex, being crossed by three conspicuous bands of irregularly shaped yellow spots, one at the base and one on either side of the discal area. The submarginal round spots of the upper side reappear on the under side as small, slightly silvered, yellow spots. The marginal spots are bright yellow, slightly glossed with silver. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 1.60 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
This extremely beautiful little species is found throughout arctic America, is not uncommon in Labrador, and also occurs upon the loftier summits of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and elsewhere. It is, as most species of the genus, essentially arctic in its habits.
Plate XV.
(3)Brenthis helena, Edwards, Plate XVIII, Fig. 16, ♂,under side; Fig. 17, ♂ (Helena).
Butterfly, ♂.—The wings on the upper side are fulvous, greatly obscured by brown at the base of the fore wings and along the inner margin of the hind wings. The usual black markings are light, and the marginal border is also not so heavily marked as inB. myrina. The fore wings on the under side are pale fulvous, laved with ferruginous at the tip. The hind wings are brightly ferruginous, with small yellow marginal spots, and paler spots inclining to buff on the costal border and at the end of the cell, about the region of the median nervules.
♁.—The female is very much like the male on the upper side, but the ground-color is paler. On the under side the wings are somewhat paler, and all the spots and light markings, especially on the secondaries, are far more conspicuous, being bright yellow, and standing out very prominently upon the dark ferruginous ground. Expanse, 1.40 inch.
Early Stages.—The early stages of this insect are not as yet known.
Helenaappears to be a common species in Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico. It is subject to considerable variation, both in the intensity of the coloring of the under side of the wings, and in the distinctness of the maculation.
(4)Brenthis montinus, Scudder, Plate XV, Fig. 7, ♂; Fig. 8, ♁,under side(The White Mountain Fritillary).
Butterfly, ♂.—The upper side is fulvous, closely resemblingB. chariclea, but the ground-color is darker. The under side of the hind wings is deep ferruginous, mottled with white, the most conspicuous of the white spots being a white bar occurring at the end of the cell, and a small round white spot at the base of the wing. The hind wings have also a marginal row of slightly silvered white spots.
♁.—The female is very much like the male, but the ground-color of the upper side is paler. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 1.75 inch.
This interesting butterfly is found on the barren summits of Mount Washington, New Hampshire. It represents the survival of the arctic fauna on these desolate peaks, and, like the arctic flora of the spot where it is found, is a souvenir of the ice-age, which once shrouded the northeastern regions of the United States with glaciers.
(5)Brenthis chariclea, Schneider, Plate XV, Fig. 4, ♂ (Chariclea).
Butterfly, ♂.—Fulvous on the upper side, with heavy black markings, both wings greatly obscured at the base by fuscous. On the under side the fore wings are pale yellowish-fulvous, mottled with ferruginous at the tip and on the outer margin. The hind wings on the under side are dark purplish-ferruginous, mottled with yellow, crossed by a central row of conspicuous yellow spots. The row of marginal spots and two or three small spots at the base are white, slightly silvered.
♁.—The female differs from the male in having the markings of the upper side darker and heavier, and the outer margins more heavily marked with black, and having all the spots on the under side more distinctly defined against the dark ground. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 1.75 inch.
Early Stages.—Undescribed.
This species, likeB. freija, is circumpolar, being found in Lapland, Greenland, and throughout arctic America. It also occurs within the limits of the United States, in the Yellowstone Park at considerable elevations, and is not uncommon on the high mountains in British Columbia, numerous specimens having been captured in recent years about Banff and Laggan, in Alberta.
(6)Brenthis boisduvali, Duponchel, Plate XV, Fig. 5. ♂; Fig. 6, ♁,under side(Boisduval's Fritillary).
Butterfly.—Somewhat closely resemblingB. chariclea, but with the markings much heavier on the outer margin, and the base of the wings generally more deeply obscured with dark brown. The wings on the under side in color and marking closely approximate those ofB. chariclea, and I have been unable to distinguish the specimens marked asboisduvali, and contained in the Edwards collection, from the specimens designated asB. charicleain the same collection, so far as the color and maculation of the under sides of these specimens are concerned. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 1.75 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
This species, originally described from Labrador, is found throughout boreal America and British Columbia.
(7)Brenthis freija, Thunberg, Plate XV, Fig. 9, ♂; Fig. 10, ♁,under side(The Lapland Fritillary).
Butterfly.—The wings are pale fulvous, the fore wings at thebase and the hind wings on the inner half being deeply obscured with fuscous. The markings are quite heavy. The fore wings on the under side are very pale fulvous, yellowish at the tip, mottled with ferruginous. The hind wings are ferruginous on the under side, mottled with yellow. The spots are quite large, consisting of lines and dashes, and a marginal row of small lunulate spots, pale yellow or white, slightly silvered. Expanse, 1.50 inch.
This butterfly is circumpolar, being found in Norway, Lapland, northern Russia, and Siberia, through Alaska, British America, and Labrador, occurring also upon the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains as far south as Colorado.
(8)Brenthis polaris, Boisduval, Plate XV, Fig. 11, ♂; Fig. 12, ♂,under side(The Polar Fritillary).
Butterfly.—The upper side dull fulvous; the markings on the inner half of the wings are confluent, and lost in the brownish vestiture which obscures this portion of the wing. The outer median area is defined by irregular zigzag spots which flow together. Beyond these the submarginal row of small black spots stands out distinctly upon the lighter ground-color of the wings. The outer margin is marked by black spots at the end of the nervules, on the fore wings somewhat widely separated, on the hind wings narrowly separated by the lighter ground-color. On the under side the wings are fulvous, with a marginal row of white checkerings on both wings. The hind wing is deeply mottled with ferruginous, on which the lighter white markings stand forth very conspicuously. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch.; ♁, 1.50-2.00 inches.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
This butterfly has been found in Labrador, Greenland, and other portions of arctic America, as far north as latitude 81° 52´.
(9)Brenthis frigga, Thunberg, Plate XV, Fig. 13, ♂; Fig. 14, ♁,lower side(Frigga).
Butterfly, ♂.—On the upper side this butterfly somewhat closely resemblespolaris, but the markings are not so compact—more diffuse. The fore wings at the base and the hind wings on the inner two thirds are heavily obscured with brown. The outer margins are more heavily shaded with blackish-brown than inB. polaris. On the under side the wings are quite differently marked. The fore wings are fulvous, shaded with brown at thetips, and marked with light yellow on the interspaces beyond the end of the cell. The hind wings are dark ferruginous, shading into purplish-gray on the outer margin, with a whitish quadrate spot on the costa near the base, marked with two dark spots, and a bar of pale, somewhat obscured spots, forming an irregular band across the middle of the hind wings.
♁.—The female does not differ greatly from the male, except that the spots on the under side of the hind wings stand forth more conspicuously, being lighter in color and better defined. Expanse, 1.65-2.00 inches.
This pretty little butterfly occurs in Labrador, across the continent as far west as northern Alaska, and is also occasionally taken upon the alpine summits of the Rocky Mountains as far south as Colorado.
(10)Brenthis bellona, Fabricius, Plate XV, Fig. 16, ♂; Plate V, Fig. 10,chrysalis, side view; Fig. 11,chrysalis, side view(Meadow Fritillary).
Butterfly.—Pale fulvous on the upper side, with the dark markings on the inner half of the wing narrow, but more or less confluent. The dark markings on the outer part of the wing are slighter. The fore wings are a little angled on the outer margin below the apex. On the under side the fore wings are pale fulvous, mottled with purple at the tip and on the outer margin. The hind wings on this side are ferruginous, mottled with purple. Expanse, 1.65-1.80 inch.
Egg.—The egg of this species is similar in form, size, color, and markings to the egg ofB. myrina.
Caterpillar.—The caterpillar also in its early stages closely resemblesmyrina, but in its mature form it differs in not having the spines on the second segment of the body lengthened as in that species.
Chrysalis.—The chrysalis, which is represented in Plate V, is bluish-gray in color, marked with dark spots. The life-history has been given us by several authors.
This butterfly is very common in the whole of the northern United States, as far south as the mountain-ranges of Virginia, and occurs throughout Quebec, Ontario, and British America, as far west as the foot-hills of the Rocky Mountains. It flies commonly withB. myrina, the only other species of the genus found in the densely populated portions of our territory, from which it may beat once distinguished by the entire absence of the silvered markings which makeB. myrinaso bright and attractive.
(11)Brenthis epithore, Boisduval, Plate XV, Fig. 17, ♂; Fig. 18, ♂,under side(Epithore).
Butterfly.—This species on the upper side is pale fulvous, with the markings slighter than inB. bellona, and the inner half of the hind wings much more heavily clouded with fuscous. On the under side the wings are somewhat like those ofB. bellona, but less purple and mottled more distinctly with yellow. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 1.85 inch.
Early Stages.—Undescribed.
This species appears to replaceB. bellona, its close ally, in California, Oregon, and the States eastward as far as parts of Colorado.
(12)Brenthis alberta, Edwards, Plate XV, Fig. 15, ♂ (Alberta).
Butterfly.—This, the least attractive in appearance of the species composing the genus, has pale wings with a "washed-out" appearance on the upper side, almost all the dark markings being greatly reduced or obliterated. On the under side the wings are even more obscurely marked than on the upper side. The female is darker than the male, and specimens have a greasy look. Expanse, ♂, 1.55 inch; ♁, 1.65-1.75 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown, except the egg and the young caterpillar, which have been most beautifully figured by Edwards in vol. iii of "The Butterflies of North America." The only locality from which specimens have as yet been received by collectors is Laggan, in Alberta, where the species apparently is not uncommon at lofty elevations above sea-level.
(13)Brenthis astarte, Doubleday and Hewitson, Plate XVIII, Fig. 14, ♂; Fig. 15, ♁,under side(Astarte).
Butterfly.—This rare insect, the largest of the genus, may at once be distinguished from all others by the very beautiful markings of the under side of the hind wings, crossed by a band of irregular, bright-yellow spots, which are narrowly edged with black, and beyond the black bordered by red. Expanse, ♂, 2.00 inches; ♁, 2.15 inches.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
The first description and figure of this insect were given by Doubleday and Hewitson in their large and now very valuablework on "The Genera of Diurnal Lepidoptera." They correctly attributed it to the Rocky Mountains, but Kirby afterward gave Jamaica as its habitat, and this led to its subsequent redescription by Edwards under the nameVictoria. It is a rare species still, having been received only from Laggan, Alberta, where it was rediscovered by that most indefatigable collector and observer, Mr. T.E. Bean. It frequents the highest summits of the lofty mountains about this desolate locality. Mr. Bean says: "Astarteseems always on the lookout for an entomologist, whose advent is carefully noted, and at any approach of such a monster nearer than about fifteen feet, its wings rise to half-mast, vibrate there a doubtful instant, and away goes the butterfly."
In addition to the thirteen species figured in our plates there are two other species of the genus,B. butleri, Edwards, from Grinnell Land, andB. improba, Butler, from near the arctic circle. It is not likely that many of the readers of this book will encounter these insects in their rambles, and if they should, they will be able to ascertain their names quickly, by conferring with the author.
SUSPICIOUS CONDUCT
The entomologist must not expect to be always thoroughly understood. The ways of scientific men sometimes appear strange, mysterious, bordering even upon the insane, to those who are uninitiated. A celebrated American naturalist relates that on one occasion, when chasing butterflies through a meadow belonging to a farmer, the latter came out and viewed him with manifest anxiety. But when the nature of the efforts of the man of science had been finally explained, the farmer heaved a sigh of relief, remarking, in Pennsylvania Dutch, that "he had surely thought, when he first saw him, that he had just escaped from a lunatic asylum." The writer, a number of years ago, after having despatched a very comfortable lunch, sallied forth one afternoon, in quest of insects, and in the course of his wanderings came upon a refuse-heap by the roadside, opposite a substantial house, and on this heap discovered an ancient ham, which was surrounded by a multitude of beetles of various species known to be partial to decomposed, or semi-decomposed, animal matter. He proceeded immediately to bottle a number of the specimens.While engaged in so doing, the window of the house across the way was thrown up, and an elderly female thrust her head out, and in strident voice exclaimed: "Hey, there! What are you doin' with that ham? I say, don't you know that that ham is spiled?" As he paid no attention to her, she presently appeared at the door, came across the street, and remarked: "See here, mister; that ham's spiled; Lucy and me throwed it out, knowin' it was no good. If you want a good meal of wittles, come into the house, and we will feed you, but for mercy's sake leave that spiled ham alone." It took considerable effort to assure her that no designs upon the ham were cherished, and she went away, evidently completely mystified at the wild conduct of the well-dressed man who was grubbing in the rubbish-pile.
Genus MELITÆA, Fabricius
(The Checker-spots)
"The fresh young Flie,...... joy'd to range abroad in fresh attire,Through the wide compass of the ayrie coast;And, with unwearied wings, each part t'inquireOf the wide rule of his renowned sire."Spenser.
"The fresh young Flie,...... joy'd to range abroad in fresh attire,Through the wide compass of the ayrie coast;And, with unwearied wings, each part t'inquireOf the wide rule of his renowned sire."Spenser.
Spenser.
Butterfly.—Small. The tibiæ and the tarsi of the mesothoracic and metathoracic legs are more lightly armed with spines than in the generaArgynnisandBrenthis. The palpi are not swollen. They are clothed with long hairs and have the third joint finely pointed. The antennæ are about half as long as the costa of the fore wings, and are provided with a short, heavy, excavated, or spoon-shaped club. The subcostal of the fore wings is five-branched, the first nervule always arising before the end of the cell, the second at the end or just beyond it. The cell of the primaries is closed, of the secondaries open. The markings upon the wings are altogether different from those in the two preceding genera, and the spots on the under side of the wings are not silvered, as in the genusBrenthis.
Egg.—The egg is rounded at the base, subconical, truncated, and depressed at the upper end and fluted by light raised ridges (see p. 4, Fig. 8).
Caterpillar.—The larvæ are cylindrical, armed in the mature form on each segment with comparatively short spines thickly covered with diverging hairs, or needle-shaped spines. They are known in some species to be gregarious in their early stages, and then to separate before maturity. They feed upon theScrophulariaceæ, uponCastileja,Diplopappus, and other plants.
Chrysalis.—The chrysalis is pendant, rounded at the head, provided with more or less sharply pointed tubercles on the dorsal surface, and generally white or some shade of light gray, blotched with brown or black, and marked with reddish or orange spots on the dorsal side.
Fig. 91.—Neuration of the genusMelitæa.
This genus is very large and is distributed widely over all the colder portions of the north temperate zone. There are many species found in Europe, in Siberia, in China, and in the northern islands of Japan. On the upper slopes of the Himalayas it is also represented by a few species. In North America the genus is well represented, the most of the species being found upon the mountain-slopes and in the valleys of the Pacific coast region. Only two species occur in the Eastern States.
(1)Melitæa phaëton, Drury, Plate XVI, Fig. 1, ♂; Plate V, Figs. 15, 16,chrysalis(The Baltimore).
Butterfly, ♂.—The upper side is black, with a marginal row of red spots, followed by three rows of pale-yellow spots on the fore wings and two on the hind wings. Besides these there are some large red spots on the cells of both wings, a large red spot about the middle of the costa of the hind wing, and a few scattering yellow spots, forming an incomplete fourth row on the fore wing and an incomplete third row on the hind wing. On the under side all the spots of the upper side reappear, but heavier and more distinct, and on the hind wings there are two additional rows of yellow spots, and a number of irregular patches of red and yellow at the base of both wings.
♁.—The female is much like the male. Expanse, ♂, 1.75-2.00 inches; ♁, 2.00-2.60 inches.
Plate XVI
Egg.—The egg which is outlined upon p. 4, Fig. 8, is brownish-yellow when first laid, then changes to crimson and becomes black just before hatching. The eggs are laid by thefemale in large clusters on the under side of the leaf of the food-plant.
Caterpillar.—The life-history in all the stages will be found minutely described by Edwards in "The Butterflies of North America," vol. ii, and by Scudder in "The Butterflies of New England," vol. i. The mature larva is black, banded with orange-red, and beset with short, bristly, black spines. Before and during hibernation, which takes place after the third moult, the caterpillars are gregarious, and construct for themselves a web in which they pass the winter. After the rigors of winter are past, and the food-plant, which is commonlyChelone glabra, begins to send up fresh shoots, they recover animation, scatter, and fall to feeding again, and after the fifth moult reach maturity.
Chrysalis.—The chrysalis is pendant, formed generally at a considerable distance from the spot where the caterpillar feeds, for the larvæ wander off widely just before pupation. It is pearly-gray, blotched with dark brown in stripes and spots, with some orange markings.
This very beautiful butterfly is quite local, found in colonies in swampy places where the food-plant grows, but in these spots sometimes appearing in swarms. It occurs in the northern portions of the United States and in Canada, extending as far north as the Lake of the Woods, and as far south as West Virginia. It does not occur west of the Rocky Mountains.
(2)Melitæa chalcedon, Doubleday and Hewitson, Plate XVI, Fig. 2, ♂ (Chalcedon).
Butterfly.—The male and female are much alike. The wings are black, spotted with red and ochreous-yellow. On the under side they are brick-red, with the spots of the upper side repeated, and in addition at the base a number of large and distinct yellow spots. Expanse, ♂, 1.75-2.00 inches; ♁, 2.50 inches.
Early Stages.—For a knowledge of these the reader may consult Edwards, "The Butterflies of North America," vol. i, and "Papilio," vol. iv, p. 63; Wright, "Papilio," vol. iii, p. 123, and other authorities. The egg is pale yellowish when first laid, pitted at the base, and ribbed vertically above. The caterpillar is black, with the bristling processes on the segments longer than in the preceding species. The chrysalis is pale gray, blotched with brown. The food-plants areMimulusandCastileja.
This very pretty species is apparently quite common in northern California about Mount Shasta. It is subject to variation, and I possess a dozen remarkable aberrations, in one of which the fore wings are solid black without spots, and the hind wings marked by only one central band of large yellow spots; another representing the opposite color extreme, in which yellow has almost wholly replaced the black and red. The majority of these aberrant forms are females. They are very striking.
(3)Melitæa macglashani, Rivers, Plate XVI, Fig. 3, ♂ (Macglashan's Checker-spot).
Butterfly.—Larger than the preceding species, with the red spots on the outer margin bigger, the yellow spots generally larger and paler. Expanse, ♂, 1.85-2.00 inches; ♁, 2.25-3.00 inches.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
This insect is represented in the Edwards collection by a considerable series. They come from Truckee, California.
(4)Melitæa colon, Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig. 5, ♂ (Colon).
Butterfly.—Of the same size and general appearance asM. chalcedon, with which I believe it to be identical, the only possible satisfactory mark of distinction which I am able to discover on comparing the types with a long series ofchalcedonbeing the reduced size of the marginal row of yellow spots on the upper side of the primaries, which in one of the types figured in the plate are almost obsolete. They appear, however, in other specimens labeled "Type." The learned author of the species lays stress, in his original description, upon the shape of the spots composing the band of spots second from the margin on the under side of the hind wings; but I find that the same points he dwells upon as diacritic of this species are apparent in many specimens of what undoubtedly arechalcedon. Expanse, 1.75-2.50 inches.
Early Stages.—These have not been recorded.
The types came from the region of the Columbia River, in Washington and Oregon.
(5)Melitæa anicia, Doubleday and Hewitson, var.beani, Skinner, Plate XVIII, Fig. 13, ♂ (Bean's Checker-spot).
Butterfly.—M. aniciais a well-known Californian species, smaller thanM. chalcedon, and with a great deal of red on the basal and discal areas of both wings upon the upper side. An extremely small and dark form of this species, found on the bleak,inhospitable mountain-tops about Laggan, in Alberta, has been named by Dr. Skinner in honor of Mr. Bean, its discoverer. The figure in our plate, which is taken from Dr. Skinner's original type, sufficiently defines the characteristics of the upper surface. Expanse, 1.50 inch.
Early Stages.—The early stages ofM. aniciaand its varietal forms are quite unknown.
M. aniciais found in Colorado, Montana, Washington, and British America.
(6)Melitæa nubigena, Behr, Plate XVI, Fig. 6, ♂; var.wheeleri, Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig. 9, ♂ (The Clouded Checker-spot).
Butterfly.—Smaller than any of the foregoing species, and characterized by the much redder ground-color of the upper side of the wings, an extreme form being the varietyM. wheeleri, in which the black ground-color is greatly reduced and almost wholly obliterated on parts of the primaries. There are other marks of distinction given in the figures in the plate which will enable the student easily to recognize this species, which is subject to much variation, especially in the female sex. Expanse, 1.20-1.50 inch.
Early Stages.—Mead, in the "Report upon the Lepidoptera of the Wheeler Survey," has described the caterpillar and chrysalis.
The species is common in Nevada.
(7)Melitæa augusta, Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig. 4, ♂ (Augusta).
Butterfly,.—This is another species in which red predominates as the color of the upper side, but it may at once be distinguished by the broad, clear red band on the secondaries, on either side of which are the marginal and outer median rows of yellow spots, and by the bands of yellow spots on the primaries, which are not so well marked inM. nubigena. Expanse, ♂, 1.50-1.75 inch; ♁, 1.75-2.00 inches.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
The habitat of this species is southern California.
(8)Melitæa baroni, Henry Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig 7, ♂ (Baron's Checker-spot).
Butterfly.—This species closely resembleschalcedonupon the upper side, but is smaller and much more heavily spotted with deep red on the upper side toward the base and on the median area ofthe wings. The bands of light spots on the under side are paler than inchalcedon, being white or very pale yellow, narrow, and more regular. Expanse, ♂, 1.50-1.80 inch; ♁, 1.60-1.90 inch.
Early Stages.—These are in part given by Edwards, "The Butterflies of North America," vol. iii. The food-plant isCastileja. The young larvæ have the same habit as those ofM. phaëtonin the matter of spinning a common web in which to hibernate.
The species is found in northern California.
(9)Melitæa rubicunda, Henry Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig. 10, ♂ (The Ruddy Checker-spot).
Butterfly.—Of the same size asM. baroni, from which it is most easily distinguished, among other things, by the tendency of the outer row of small yellow spots near the margin of the hind wings on the upper side to become greatly reduced, and in a majority of specimens to be altogether wanting, as in the specimen figured in our plate. Expanse, ♂, 1.50-1.60 inch; ♁, 1.80 inch.
Early Stages.—For a knowledge of what is thus far known of these the reader may consult the "Canadian Entomologist," vol. xvii, p. 155. The caterpillar feeds onScrophularia.
The range of this species is in northern California.
(10)Melitæa taylori, Plate XVI, Fig. 16, ♂ (Taylor's Checker-spot).
Butterfly.—This insect resemblesM. baroni, but is smaller, the red spots on the wings are larger and more conspicuous, and the light bands of pale spots more regular and paler in color, in many specimens being quite white. It looks at first sight like a diminutive edition of Baron's Checker-spot, and possibly is only a northern race of this species. Expanse, ♂, 1.25-1.50 inch; ♁, 1.50-1.75 inch.
Early Stages.—Mr. W.H. Danby of Victoria, B.C., informs us in the "Canadian Entomologist," vol. xxi, p. 121, that the food-plant of this species is the ribwort-plantain (Plantago lanceolata, Linn.).
It is found on Vancouver's Island.
(11)Melitæa editha, Boisduval, Plate XVI, Fig. 8, ♂ (Editha).
Butterfly.—Characterized by the considerable enlargement and the disposition in regular bands of the pale spots on the upper side of the primaries, and by the tendency to a grayish cast in the darker markings of the upper side, some specimens, especially females, being quite gray. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 2.00 inches.
Early Stages.—The food-plants, according to Henry Edwards, who described the caterpillar and chrysalis in the "Canadian Entomologist," vol. v, p. 167, areErodium cicutarium, clover, and violets.
The habitat of this species is southern California.
(12)Melitæa acastus, Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig. 11, ♂; Fig. 12, ♂,under side(Acastus).
Butterfly.—With thinner and less robust wings than any of the species of the genus hitherto mentioned. It is prevalently fulvous upon the upper side, and on the under side of the hind wings heavily and somewhat regularly banded with yellowish-white spots, possessing some pearly luster. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 1.60 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
Common in Nevada, Utah, and Montana.
(13)Melitæa palla, Boisduval, Plate XVI, Fig. 13, ♂; Fig. 14, ♂,under side(The Northern Checker-spot).
Butterfly.—On the upper side resembling the preceding species, but with the median band of spots on the hind wings paler. On the under side the markings are different, as is shown in the plate. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 1.75 inch.
Early Stages.—The larva and chrysalis were described by Henry Edwards, the actor naturalist, in the "Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences," vol. v, p. 167. The food-plant isCastileja.
The species ranges from California to Colorado, and northward into British Columbia.
(14)Melitæa whitneyi, Behr, Plate XVII, Fig. 7, ♂; Fig. 8, ♂,under side(Whitney's Checker-spot).
Butterfly.—The markings are much as inM. palla, the spots are lighter fulvous and larger than in that species, the yellow bands on the under side are more prominent, and the marginal spots have a silvery luster which is lacking inM. palla. The female has the yellow of the under side more prominent than is the case in the male sex. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 1.70 inch.
Early Stages.—Altogether unknown.
Whitney's Checker-spot ranges from California into Nevada.
(15)Melitæa hoffmanni, Behr, Plate XVII, Fig. 13, ♂; Fig. 14, ♁,aberration(Hoffmann's Checker-spot).
Butterfly, ♂.—General style of marking much as in the twopreceding species, but with the basal area black, and the black markings toward the outer margin not so heavy, giving it here a more fulvous appearance. The median bands on both wings are broader and paler than inM. palla.The under side is much as in the last-mentioned species, but the yellow markings are more prominent.
♁.—Much like the male. Expanse, ♂, 1.35 inch; ♁, 1.45 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
This species, which is found in California and Nevada, is subject to extreme variation, and I have placed upon the plate one out of many beautiful and singular aberrations which I possess.
(16)Melitæa gabbi, Behr, Plate XVI, Fig. 15, ♂ (Gabb's Checker-spot).
Butterfly.—In the style of its markings on the upper side it almost completely resemblesM. acastus, but the dark markings are slighter, giving the wings a more fulvous appearance. On the under side the bands are narrower, defined more sharply with black, and pearly, almost silvery white, whereas inacastusthey are pale yellowish-white, and not so lustrous. Expanse, ♂, 1.20 inch; ♁, 1.50 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
The habitat of this species is southern California.
(17)Melitæa harrisi, Scudder, Plate XVII, Fig. 5, ♂; Fig. 6, ♁,under side; Plate V, Figs. 17-18,chrysalis(Harris' Checker-spot).
Butterfly, ♂.—Wings fulvous, black at the base and on the outer margin, with five fulvous spots in the cell of the fore wing, two below the cell; and three in the cell of the hind wing. The black border is widest at the apex of the fore wing, and below this runs inwardly on the veins. There are two white spots near the apex. At the anal angle on the hind wing the border is somewhat divided so as to present the appearance of two indistinct lines. On the under side the wings are fulvous, marked with black bands and spots, and crossed by bands and crescents of pale yellow, as is shown in the figure on the plate.
♁.—The female is much like the male. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 1.75 inch.
Egg.—The eggs are lemon-yellow, in the form of a truncatedcone, with fifteen or sixteen vertical ribs, which are highest about the middle.
Caterpillar.—The matured caterpillar is reddish-fulvous, with a black stripe on the back. Each segment is marked with one black ring before and two black rings behind the sets of spiny tubercles with which the segments are adorned. There are nine rows of spines, those above the feet being quite small. The spines are black, tapering, and set with diverging black hairs. The food-plants are aster andDiplopappus umbellatus.
Chrysalis.—The chrysalis is pearly-gray or white, blotched with dark brown or black.
This choice little butterfly ranges from Nova Scotia to Wisconsin, extending as far south as northern Illinois, and northward to Ottawa.
(18)Melitæa elada, Hewitson, Plate XVII, Fig. 2, ♂ (Hewitson's Checker-spot).
Butterfly, ♂.—The wings on the upper side are black, crossed by numerous bands of small fulvous spots, the one crossing the middle of the median area being composed of the largest spots. The fore wings on the under side are fulvous, shading outwardly into ferruginous. The spots and bands of the upper side reappear upon the under side, but are lighter, and the submarginal row of crescents is pale yellow and very distinct, the spot between the second and third median nervules being the largest, and the spot between the fourth and fifth subcostals being only a little smaller. The under side of the hind wings is deep ferruginous, crossed by bands of pearly pale-yellow spots, those of the outer margin being the largest.
♁.—The female is much like the male, with the ground-color a little paler. Expanse, ♂, .90 inch; ♁, 1.00-1.10 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
This little species is found in western Texas, Arizona, and northern Mexico.
(19)Melitæa dymas, Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig. 18, ♁ (Dymas).
Butterfly.—This species is closely related in size and the style of some of the markings to the foregoing species, but may be at once distinguished by the lighter ground-color, which is pale fulvous, and the totally different style of the marginal markings on the under side of the wings. The female represented in theplate is a trifle paler than the male. Expanse, ♂, .85 inch; ♁, 1.00 inch.
Early Stages—Unknown.
The habitat of this species is southwestern Texas.
(20)Melitæa perse, Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig. 19, ♂ (Perse).
Butterfly.—This is nearly related to the two foregoing species, but the ground-color is darker fulvous than indymas, the markings are slight as in that species, and the arrangement of the spots and bands on the under side is similar. The marginal crescents on the under side of the primaries are largest at the apex and rapidly diminish in size, vanishing altogether about the middle of the wing. Expanse, ♂, 1.00 inch; ♁, 1.10 inch.
Early Stages.—These remain to be discovered.
The only specimens so far found have come from Arizona.
(21)Melitæa chara, Edwards, Plate XVII, Fig. 3, ♂; Fig. 4, ♂,under side(Chara).
Butterfly.—No lengthy description of this pretty little species is required, as the plate, which gives both sides of the wings, shows their peculiarities with sufficient accuracy to enable an exact determination to be made. The whitish spot on the costa before the apex on the upper side, and the chalky-white markings and spots on the under side, serve at once to distinguish this form from its near allies. Expanse, ♂, 1.00 inch; ♁, 1.25 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
I have a large series of this species, all from Arizona, where it appears to be common.
(22)Melitæa leanira, Boisduval, Plate XVI, Fig. 20, ♁ (Leanira).
Butterfly, ♂.—Ground-color brownish-black, fulvous on the costa, with submarginal, median, and basal rows of yellow spots. Both the primaries and secondaries have a marginal row of red spots, and the former have in addition a submarginal row of such spots. The under side of the primaries is reddish-fulvous, with the markings of the upper side reproduced. The secondaries have a marginal row of yellow crescents, then a black band inclosing yellow spots, then a median band of long yellow crescents. The remainder of the wing to its insertion is black, spotted with yellow.
♁.—Much like the male. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♁, 1.75 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
This pretty insect ranges from southern California and Arizona to Nevada, Montana, and British America.
(23)Melitæa wrighti, Edwards, Plate XVII, Fig. 9, ♂; Fig. 10, ♁,under side,(Wright's Checker-spot).
Butterfly.—Much likeM. leanira, but with more fulvous upon the upper side of the wings, and the under side yellow. The black bands on the secondaries are reduced, and the dividing-lines between the spots are confined to the nervules, which are narrowly black. This is probably only a varietal form of the preceding species. I figure the types. Expanse, ♂, 1.30 inch; ♁, 1.80 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
Habitat, southern California.
(24)Melitæa alma, Strecker, Plate XVII, Fig. 1, ♂ (Strecker's Checker-spot).
Butterfly, ♂.—The upper side of the wings is bright fulvous, with the margins and veins black. There are three rows of transverse spots paler than the ground-color. The fore wings on the under side are pale fulvous, with pale-yellow spots and a submarginal and marginal row of yellow spots separated by a narrow black line. The hind wings on this side are yellow, with the veins and margins black, and a transverse double band of black on the outer margin of the median area.
♁.—Much like the male, but larger, and redder on the upper side. Expanse, ♂, 1.25 inch; ♁, 1.50 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
The specimens I have came from the Death Valley. The species occurs in southern Utah and Arizona.
(25)Melitæa thekla, Edwards, Plate XVII, Fig. 15, ♂,under side; Fig. 16, ♂ (Thekla).
Butterfly, ♂.—The upper side of the wings is fulvous, black toward the base and on the outer margin. The primaries are adorned with a large oval pale-fulvous spot at the end of the cell, a small one on the middle of the upper side of the cell, and another small one below the cell, at the origin of the first median nervule. The discal area is defined outwardly by a very irregular fine black transverse line, beyond which is a transverse band of pale-fulvous oblong spots, an incomplete series of spots of the ground-colorsharply defined upon the black outer shade, followed by a row of irregular white submarginal spots. The transverse bands of spots on the primaries are repeated upon the secondaries, where they are more regular and the spots more even in size. On the under side both wings are pale red, with the light spots of the upper side reappearing as pale-yellow sharply defined spots. The fringes are checkered black and white.
♁.—Much like the male, but larger. Expanse, ♂, 1.35-1.50 inch; ♁, 1.50-1.75 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
This species is common in Texas. It is identical, as an examination of the type shows, withM. bolli, Edwards, and the latter name as a synonym falls into disuse.
(26)Melitæa minuta, Edwards, Plate XVII, Fig. 11, ♂,under side; Fig. 12, ♂ (The Smaller Checker-spot).
Butterfly, ♂.—This species is fulvous on the upper side, rather regularly banded with black lines. The veins are also black. The result is that the wings appear to be more regularly checkered than in any other species which is closely allied to this. The markings of the under side are white edged with black, and are shown very well in the plate, so that a lengthy description is unnecessary. Expanse, ♂, 1.25-1.35 inch; ♁, 1.50-1.60 inch.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
The specific name,minuta, is not altogether appropriate. There are many smaller species of the genus. It is found rather commonly in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.
(27)Melitæa arachne, Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig. 22, ♁ (Arachne).
Butterfly.—I have given in the plate a figure of a female bearing this name in the Edwards collection. It is remarkably pale on the upper side. There is a large series of types and paratypes in the collection, but all of them vary on the upper side of the wings in the intensity of the fulvous ground-color and the width of the black markings. Underneath they are absolutely likeM. minuta. I thinkM. arachneis without much doubt a synonym forM. minuta. The species varies very greatly. The types are from Colorado and western Texas. Expanse as inM. minuta.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
(28)Melitæa nympha, Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig. 21, ♂ (Nympha).
Butterfly.—This species differs fromM. minutaonly in having the black markings darker and the outer median bands of spots on the upper side yellow. On the under side the pattern of the markings is exactly as inM. minuta. It seems to me to be a dark, aberrant form ofM. minuta, but is very well marked, and constant in a large series of specimens, so that we cannot be sure until some one breeds these creatures from the egg. Expanse, the same as that ofM. minuta.
Early Stages.—Unknown.
Habitat, Arizona.
In addition to the species of the genusMelitæaillustrated in our plates there are a few others which are credited to our fauna, some of these correctly and some erroneously, and a number of so-called species have been described which are not true species, but varieties or aberrations.
COLLECTING IN JAPAN
I was tired of the Seiyo-ken, the only hotel at which foreigners could be entertained without the discomfort of sleeping upon the floor. There is a better hotel in Tokyo now. I had looked out for five days from my window upon the stinking canal through which the tide ebbs and flows in Tsukiji. I felt if I stayed longer in the lowlands that I would contract malarial fever or some other uncomfortable ailment, and resolved to betake myself to the mountains, the glorious mountains, which rise all through the interior of the country, wrapped in verdure, their giant summits capped with clouds, many of them the abode of volcanic thunder. So I went by rail to the terminus of the road, got together the coolies to pull and push my jinrikishas, and, accompanied by a troop of native collectors, made my way up the Usui-toge, the pass over which travelers going from western Japan into eastern Japan laboriously crept twelve years ago.
What a sunset when we reached an elevation of three thousand feet above the paddy-fields which stretch across the Kwanto to the Gulf of Yeddo! What a furious thunder-storm came on just as night closed in! Then at half-past nine the moon struggled out from behind the clouds, and we pushed on up over the muddy roads, until at last a cold breath of night air sweeping from the west began to fan our faces, and we realized that we were at thetop of the pass, and before us in the dim moonlight loomed the huge form of Asama-yama, that furious volcano, which more than once has laid the land waste for leagues around, and compared with which Vesuvius is a pygmy. We slept on Japanese mats, and in the morning, the drops glittering on every leaf, we started out to walk through the fields to Oiwake, our baggage going forward, we intending to loiter all day amid the charms of nature. Seven species of lilies bloomed about us in the hedges and the fields; a hundred plants, graceful and beautiful in blossom, scented the air with their aroma, and everywhere were butterflies and bees. Above us hung in the sky a banner, the great cloud which by day and by night issues from the crater of Asama-yama. Five species of fritillaries flashed their silvery wings by copse and stream; great black papilios soared across the meadows; blue lycænas, bright chrysophani, and a dozen species of wood-nymphs gamboled over the low herbage and among the grass. Torosan, my chief collector, was in his element. "Dana-san" (my lord, ormy master), "this kind Yokohama no have got." "Dana-san, this kind me no catchee Tokyo side." And so we wandered down the mountain-slope, taking species new alike to American and Japanese, until the sun was sinking in the west. The cloud-banner had grown crimson and purple in the sunset when we wandered into the hospitable doorway of the wayside inn at Oiwake. There we made our headquarters for the week, and thence we carried away a thousand butterflies and moths and two thousand beetles as the guerdon of our chase.
Genus PHYCIODES, Doubleday(The Crescent-spots)