Part 5

The two species _A. cybele_ and _A. aphrodite_ usually are found flying at the same time and in the same places, and when on the wing it is often very difficult to distinguish them from each other. In fact they seem to intergrade into each other, and in a long series of specimens such close resemblances often occur that it is puzzling to decide which is which. The deeper red of the fore wing of _A. cybele_ is the best diacritical character. The paler outer margin of the hind wing of _A. aphrodite_, which is typically shown in Plate XII, sometimes occurs also in _A. cybele_, and I have specimens of the latter which very closely approximate the former in this regard. In selecting specimens for illustration I have chosen the two extreme forms in which the pale wing of _A. aphrodite_ is seen to contrast on the under side with the darker wing of _A. cybele_ shown on Plate XIII.

It may be remarked in passing that the genus _Argynnis_ is very difficult, and the writer has been in the habit of comparing it to the genus _Salix_, the willows, among flowers. Botanists know how the willows seem to run together, and how hard it is to discriminate the species. The same thing is true of this great genus of butterflies with which we are now dealing. It is particularly true of the species which occur in the region of the Rocky Mountains, of which the writer has probably the largest collection in existence, including all of the types of the late William H. Edwards. The test of breeding has not been fully applied as yet to all of these forms, and it is doubtful whether some of them are more than varieties or local races. There is here a field of inquiry which should tempt some young, ardent, and careful student. The day for more thorough work is at hand, and I hope some reader of these pages may be converted to the task. Entomological study should become more intensive, as well as extensive. The fathers of the science have paved the way and laid foundations; it remains for the rising generation to complete the work which the fathers have begun.

[Illustration: PL. XIV]

(6) _Argynnis atlantis_ Edwards. Plate XIV, ♂ (The Mountain Silverspot).

Smaller than _A. aphrodite_, with narrower wings, darker at the base on both the upper and lower sides. The submarginal band below is pale yellow, narrow, distinct, and always present. Expanse 2.25 to 2.5 inches.

Ranges from Quebec to Alberta and southward, but is confined to the Appalachian mountain ranges in southern Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The specimen figured on the Plate is the type of the male contained in the collection of the late William H. Edwards. Although taken long ago, it retains all its original freshness and beauty.

There used to be near Cresson on the summit of the Allegheny Mountains a field surrounded by woodland in which violets grew. When the clover was in bloom myriads of Fritillaries, belonging to the species _aphrodite_, _cybele_, and _atlantis_, congregated there. What captures we made! Many a collection on both sides of the Atlantic contains specimens taken in that field, but no possessor of these specimens can have the happy memories of the days passed in that field by their captor.

[Illustration: PL. XV]

(7) _Argynnis callippe_ Boisduval. Plate XV, ♀, _under side_ (Callippe).

Wings on the upper side obscured with dark brown on which the pale buff spots, margined with black, stand out conspicuously. On the under side the wings are pale buff, with a greenish cast, the spots well silvered. Expanse 2.3 to 3 inches.

Abundant in southern California, according to W. G. Wright, preferring plains, and being confined mainly to the little hot valleys which traverse them. According to the same author the life of the insect as an imago is very brief, “the shortest of any Argynnid that I know of, being only a few days in length.”

Many of the western species do not have the spots on the under side silvered, but are none the less beautiful for that. One of these species, without silvery spots, the spots being creamy white, without metallic lustre, is the beautiful insect figured on Plate XVI, _A. rhodope_, the under side of the female type of which we show. There are nearly a dozen species of _Argynnis_ belonging to the same group with _A. rhodope_, but the latter is the most beautiful of all of them.

[Illustration: PL. XVI]

(8) _Argynnis rhodope_ Edwards. Plate XVI, ♀ _under side_ (Type) (Rhodope).

The wings of the two sexes are quite alike on the under side. On the upper side, which we do not figure, the wings are bright fulvous, dark at the base, marked with heavy, black, confluent spots. Expanse 2.2 to 2.4 inches.

Found in Washington and British Columbia.

GENUS BRENTHIS HÜBNER

(THE LITTLE FRITILLARIES).

Small or medium-sized _butterflies_, closely resembling those of the genus _Argynnis_. The chief difference is that in _Brenthis_ only the first subcostal nervule branches off before the end of the cell, while in _Argynnis_ the first and second are thus given off; palpi not so stout as in _Argynnis_; the basal spur of the median vein of the fore wing, found in _Argynnis_, is wanting in _Brenthis_. _Eggs_ subconical, twice as wide as high, truncated, vertically ribbed. _Caterpillars_ like those of _Argynnis_, but smaller, and often lighter in color, feeding on violets. _Chrysalis_ pendant, about 0.6 inch long; two rows of conical tubercles on back.

Sixteen species are found in North America, all of which but two are subarctic or occur on high mountains.

[Illustration: PL. XVII]

(1) _Brenthis myrina_ (Cramer), Plate XVII, Fig. 1, ♂, _upper side_; Fig. 2, ♂, _under side_ (The Silver-bordered Fritillary).

Well depicted in the figures we give. Expanse 1.40-1.70 inch. _Eggs_ pale greenish yellow. _Caterpillar_, when fully grown, about 0.87 inch long, dark olive-brown, marked with lighter green, and covered with spiny, fleshy tubercles. _Chrysalis_ yellowish brown marked with darker brown spots, some having a pearly lustre.

Ranges from Nova Scotia to Alaska and southward as far as the mountains of the Carolinas.

(2) _Brenthis montinus_ Scudder, Plate XVII, Fig. 3, ♀, _under side_ (The White Mountain Fritillary).

Upper side fulvous, the wings at base darker than in _B. myrina_, the black markings heavier. Hind wings below much darker than in _B. myrina_, the silvery spots being quite differently arranged, the most conspicuous being a bar at the end and a round spot at the base of the cell of the hind wing. Expanse, ♂, 1.50 inch; ♀, 1.75 inch.

A small species living on the summit of Mt. Washington, New Hampshire, where a little colony has survived the glacial epoch, when the northeastern parts of the United States were covered with glaciers, as Greenland is to-day.

[Illustration: PL. XVIII]

(3) _Brenthis bellona_ (Fabricius), Plate XVIII, ♂ (The Meadow Fritillary).

The only species of the genus, except _B. myrina_, found in the densely settled portions of the continent. Easily distinguished from _myrina_ by the absence on the under side of the wings of the silvery spots, which make the Silver-bordered Fritillary so attractive. It is generally found upon the wing in the late summer and the fall of the year. In Pennsylvania it may be found when the asters are in bloom.

Common throughout Canada and the northern United States as far west as the Rocky Mountains and as far south as the Carolinas. Expanse 1.65-1.80 inch.

GENUS MELITÆA (THE CHECKER-SPOTS).

Generally small or medium-sized _butterflies_. Palpi not swollen; the third joint finely pointed; clothed with long hairs. Antennæ about half as long as the costal margin of fore wing, ending with a short, heavy, spoon-shaped knob. The cell in the fore wing is closed, in the hind wing open. The spots and markings are differently arranged from those in _Argynnis_ and _Brenthis_; the wings are never silvered on the under side. _Eggs_ subconical, flattened on top, fluted on the sides. _Caterpillars_ gregarious when young, then separating; cylindrical, covered with short spines set with diverging hairs; feeding upon the _Scrophulariaceæ_, _Castileja_, and allied plants. _Chrysalis_ rounded at the head, with sharply pointed tubercles on back, white or pale gray, adorned with dark markings and orange spots on back.

There are many species in the north temperate zone. Most of the more than thirty species in North America are confined to the western part of the continent, only two being found east of the Mississippi.

[Illustration: PL. XIX]

(1) _Melitæa phaëton_ (Drury), Plate XIX, ♂ (The Baltimore).

Easily recognized by the figure. One of the larger species, the male having a width of 1.75-2.00, the female of 2.00-2.60 inches. Eggs brownish yellow when laid, changing to crimson, and later to black; deposited in clusters on balmony (_Chelone glabra_). Hatching in early fall, the little caterpillars spin a web or tent of silk, where they pass the winter. When spring comes, they scatter, fall to feeding, and after the fifth moult turn into chrysalids, from which the butterflies soon emerge.

Found locally in colonies in swampy places, where balmony grows, from Quebec to west of Lake Superior and south to the Carolina mountains.

(2) _Melitæa chalcedon_ Doubleday and Hewitson, Plate XX, Fig. 1, ♂ (Chalcedon).

A common species in northern California, ranging eastward as far as Colorado and Wyoming. One of the larger species, expanding 1.75-2.5 inches. The caterpillar feeds on _Mimulus_ and _Castileja_. The butterfly is variable, the females in particular differing in the size of the light spots on their wings.

[Illustration: PL. XX]

(3) _Melitæa macglashani_ Rivers, Plate XX, Fig. 2, ♀ (Macglashan’s Checker-spot).

One of the largest species in the genus, exceeding in size the two foregoing, having a width of from 1.85-3.00 inches; closely resembling _M. chalcedon_, but the outer marginal red spots always bigger and the yellow spots paler and larger than in that species. Occurs in Utah, Nevada, and California.

[Illustration: PL. XXI]

(4) _Melitæa harrisi_ Scudder, Plate XXI, Fig. 1, ♀, _under side_ (Harris’ Checker-spot).

Fulvous on upper side; base of wings and outer margins black, black margins widest at apex. Five fulvous spots in cell of fore wing, two below it; two white spots on apex. Under side of wings well shown in the figure we give. Expanse 1.5-1.75 inch. _Eggs_ lemon-yellow, conoid, flattened at top, ribbed. Adult _caterpillar_ reddish, with a black stripe on middle of back, nine rows of black, branching spines on body. On each segment a black band in front of the spines, and two black-bands behind them. Food-plants _Aster_ and _Diplopappus_. _Chrysalis_ pale gray or white, blotched with dark brown.

Ranges from Nova Scotia to Lake Superior.

(5) _Melitæa perse_ Edwards, Plate XX, Fig. 3, ♂. _Type_ (The Arizona Checker-spot).

One of the very small species of the genus. The specimen we figure is the _type_, that is to say, the specimen upon which Edwards founded his description of the species. Expanse ♂, 1.00 inch; ♀, 1.10 inch.

_Habitat_ Arizona and northern Mexico.

(6) _Melitæa dymas_ Edwards, Plate XX, Fig. 4, ♀. _Type_ (The Least Checker-spot).

Even smaller than the preceding, having an expanse of only 0.85 to 1.00 inch. It is much paler on the upper side than _M. perse_, and the markings are different.

Ranges from southwestern Texas and Arizona to Mexico.

GENUS PHYCIODES DOUBLEDAY

(THE CRESCENT-SPOTS).

Usually quite small _butterflies_, the species found in our region being some shade of fulvous or reddish, above with dark markings, which are less distinctly reproduced on the paler under side of the wings. Of the spots on the under side the most characteristic is the crescent between the ends of the second and third median nervules. This, when present, is pearly white or silvery in color. Structurally these insects differ most markedly from the preceding genus in the enlarged second and the fine very sharp third joint of the palpi. _Eggs_ higher than wide, slightly ribbed on top, pitted below, giving them a thimble-like appearance. _Caterpillars_ cylindrical, with rows of short tubercles, much shorter than the spines in _Melitæa_, dark in color, marked with paler longitudinal stripes. _Chrysalis_ with head slightly bifid, generally pale in color, blotched with brown.

Numerous species occur in Central and South America, but only about a dozen in the United States and Canada, most of them in the Southwestern States.

(1) _Phyciodes nycteis_ Doubleday and Hewitson, Plate XXI, Fig. 2, ♂ (Nycteis).

Easily mistaken on the wing for _Melitæa harrisi_, which it closely resembles on the upper side, and with which it is often found flying, but an examination of the under side at once reveals the difference. The redder fore wings, paler hind wings, and the crescent on the lower outer border of these are marks which cannot be mistaken. Expanse ♂, 1.25-1.65 inch; ♀, 1.65-2.00 inches.

Ranges from Maine to the Carolinas and westward to the Rocky Mountains.

[Illustration: PL. XXII]

(2) _Phyciodes tharos_ (Drury), Plate XXII, Fig. 1, ♂. Variety _marcia_ Edwards, Plate XXII, Fig. 2, ♂ (The Pearl Crescent).

A very common little _butterfly_, which everybody must have noticed in late spring or early summer flitting about lawns and gardens, and in fall abounding upon clumps of asters. It may easily be recognized from the figures given. Expanse from 1.25-1.65 inch. The variety _marcia_ comes from larvæ which have hibernated during the winter, and is lighter and brighter in color, especially beneath, than butterflies of the later summer and fall broods.

_Eggs_ laid on asters and related plants; greenish yellow. Matured _caterpillar_ dark brown, dotted on the back with yellow; adorned with short, bristly, black spines, yellow at base. _Chrysalis_ pale gray, blotched with spots of brown.

Ranges from southern Labrador to Florida and westward to the Pacific Coast.

(3) _Phyciodes batesi_ (Reakirt), Plate XXII, Fig. 3, ♂, _upper side_; Fig. 4, _under side_, ♀ (Bates’ Crescent-spot).

Above closely resembling _P. tharos_, but with the dark markings much heavier; below hind wings quite uniformly pale yellowish fulvous, with a row of very pale marginal crescents; ends of veins tipped with brown. Expanse 1.25-1.65 inch.

Ranges from New England to Virginia and westward to the Mississippi.

[Illustration: PL. XXIII]

(4) _Phyciodes pratensis_ (Behr), Plate XXIII, Fig. 1, ♂ (The Meadow Crescent).

Closely resembling the preceding, but fore wings not as curved on the costal margin, and relatively longer and narrower; the pale markings more whitish, not so red, and more clearly defined. On the under side, especially in the female, the markings are heavier than in _P. batesi_. Expanse 1.15-1.40 inch.

Ranges from Oregon to southern California, Arizona, and northern Mexico.

(5) _Phyciodes camillus_ Edwards, Plate XXIII, Fig. 2, ♂, _under side_ (The Camillus Crescent).

Resembling _P. pratensis_, but the pale spots on fore wings paler, and on hind wings brighter fulvous. Below the dark markings not nearly so pronounced as in _P. pratensis_. Expanse 1.3-1.6 inch.

Ranges from British Columbia to Colorado and Kansas and south into Texas.

(6) _Phyciodes picta_ Edwards, Plate XXIII, Fig. 3, ♀, _under side_ (The Painted Crescent).

Below fore wings red on median area, with base, costa, apex, and outer margin pale yellow. The dark spots on this wing stand out prominently. Hind wings nearly uniformly bright yellow. Expanse 0.8-1.25 inch.

Ranges from Nebraska as far as Mexico. The larvæ feed on asters.

GENUS ERESIA DOUBLEDAY

Closely allied to _Phyciodes_, but distinguished from it by having the fore wing more or less deeply excavated on the outer margin about its middle, and the light spots on the hind wings arranged in regular bands. There are also differences in the form of the chrysalids and caterpillars. The genus is best represented in Central and South America, where there are many very beautiful species. Only three occur in our region. We have figured two of these.

(1) _Eresia frisia_ (Poey), Plate XXIII, Fig. 4, ♂ (Poey’s Crescent).

Our figure of the upper side will enable any one to recognize it. Below the wings are fulvous, mottled with dark brown and white, and the spots of the upper side reappear as white bands and markings. Expanse 1.4-1.5 inch.

Occurs in the extreme south of Florida about Key West, and is not uncommon in the Antilles, Mexico, and Central America.

[Illustration: PL. XXIV]

(2) _Eresia texana_ (Edwards), Plate XXIV, Fig. 1, ♀ (The Texan Crescent).

Well represented in our illustration. Below the fore wings are fulvous at base, and broadly marked with dark brown beyond the middle. Hind wings at base marbled wood-brown, and dark externally like the fore wings. The light spots of upper side reappear on lower side, but not so distinctly. Expanse 1.25-1.75 inch.

Ranges through Texas into Mexico, and South America. The genus _Eresia_ is undoubtedly one of those which originated in the warm neotropical regions and which since the glacial epoch have spread northward. Many of our genera have come to us from the South.

GENUS SYNCHLOE BOISDUVAL (THE PATCH-SPOTS).

Medium-sized or small _butterflies_, often very gayly colored. Wings generally more produced than in the two foregoing genera, more excavated on outer margin of primaries, and third joint of palpus spindle-shaped, not sharp like the point of a needle, as in _Phyciodes_ and _Eresia_. The lower discocellular vein in the fore wing is straight and not angled, as in the two last-named genera. _Eggs_, which are laid in clusters upon sunflowers (_Helianthus_), like those of _Phyciodes_ in general appearance; the _caterpillars_ and _chrysalids_ like those of _Melitæa_. There are many species of the group found in the American tropics, and among them are many curious mimetic insects, which resemble miniature Heliconians and Ithomiids. Three species occur in our southland, one of which we figure.

(1) _Synchloë janais_ (Drury), Plate XXIV, Fig. 2, ♂ (The Crimson-patch).

The upper side of a small male specimen is well shown in our figure. Below the markings of the upper side are reproduced in the fore wings. Hind wings on this side black at base and on outer third. The basal area crossed by a yellow bar, on middle of wing a broad yellow band, washed externally with crimson, in which are numerous black spots. There is a marginal row of yellow, and a limbal row of white spots parallel to the outer border. Expanse 2.50-3.00 inches.

Ranges through southern Texas, Mexico, and Central America.

GENUS GRAPTA KIRBY (THE ANGLE-WINGS).

Medium-sized or small _butterflies_; fore wing strongly acuminate at end of upper radial, deeply excavated on outer and inner border; hind wing tailed at end of third median nervule; cells on both wings closed; palpi heavily scaled beneath. Upper side of wings tawny, spotted with darker, under side mimicking the color of bark and dead leaves, often with a silvery spot about middle of hind wing. The butterflies hibernate in winter. _Eggs_ taller than broad, tapering toward top, which is flat, adorned with a few longitudinal ribs, increasing in height upward, laid in clusters, or strung together, then looking like beads. _Larva_ with squarish head; body cylindrical, adorned with branching spines. _Chrysalids_ with head bifid; prominent tubercle on back of thorax; two rows of dorsal tubercles on abdomen; compressed laterally in thoracic region; color wood-brown or greenish. The caterpillars feed upon plants of the nettle tribe, including the elm and hops, though willows, azalea, and wild currants are affected by different species.

The genus is confined to the northern temperate zone. We have about a dozen species in America, of which five have been selected for illustration.

[Illustration: PL. XXV]

(1) _Grapta interrogationis_ (Fabricius), form _fabricii_ Edwards, Plate XXV, ♂ (The Question-sign).

The largest species of the genus in our fauna. Dimorphic, the upper sides of the hind wings in the form _fabricii_ being fulvous with dark markings, those of the form _umbrosa_ Lintner being uniformly dark, except at base. In the Middle States double-brooded. The second brood hibernates in the winged form. Expanse 2.50 inches.

Found throughout Canada and the United States, except on the Pacific Coast.

[Illustration: PL. XXVI]

(2) _Grapta comma_ (Harris), form _dryas_ Edwards, Plate XXVI, ♂ (The Comma Butterfly).

Larvæ feed on nettles; some are almost snow-white. The species is dimorphic. In the form _dryas_ Edwards the hind wings are dark above, in the form _harrisi_ Edwards they are lighter in color. Expanse 1.75-2.00 inches.

The range is much the same as that of the Question-mark.

[Illustration: PL. XXVII]

(3) _Grapta faunus_ Edwards, Plate XXVII, ♀ (The Faun).

Readily recognized by the deep indentations of the hind wings, the heavy black border, and the dark tints of the under side mottled conspicuously with paler shades. Expanse 2.00-2.15 inches. The larva feeds on willows.

Ranges from New England and Ontario to the Carolinas, thence westward to the Pacific.

As I have remarked of the genus _Argynnis_ that it is difficult, so also I may say of the genus _Grapta_ that it provokes much discussion among those who have not had the opportunity to study full series of specimens of the various species. The resemblances are very great, and the differences are not accentuated, so that the superficial observer is easily led astray. The differences are, however, valid, even on the upper side of the specimens, which are more nearly alike than the lower side. Take the two species here presented to view on opposite pages. They resemble each other closely, but the student will soon see that there are differences, and these are constant. On the under side they are very great, _G. faunus_ being light in color below, while _G. silenus_ is very dark. In both species at the end of the cell of the hind wing there is on the under side a silvery spot which has the form of an inverted L (⅂), or is rudely comma-shaped.

[Illustration: PL. XXVIII]

(4) _Grapta silenus_ Edwards, Plate XXVIII, ♂, _Type_ (The Toper).

Wings in form very much like those of _G. faunus_, but the fore wing not as strongly produced at the ends of the upper radial, and the hind wing at the end of the first submedian. The wings are much darker below than in _faunus_, without large pale spots, at most sprinkled with white scales. Expanse 2.00-2.30 inches.

Occurs in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon.

The life history of this species is not as yet known. It is highly probable that the insect has the same tastes as the other species of the genus, and lives upon much the same food-plants. The late W. G. Wright, who was a careful observer, states that the butterfly haunts partially wooded places upon hillsides in the region where it is found. It is to be hoped that some bright young person in Oregon or Washington may succeed in breeding the larvæ to maturity, giving us an account of his observations. It is a mistake to suppose that everything which is worth knowing is already known about our lepidoptera. There is much for the students of the future to find out.

[Illustration: PL. XXIX]

(5) _Grapta progne_ (Cramer), Plate XXIX, ♂ (The Currant Angle-wing).

Somewhat smaller than any of the foregoing species. Fore wings light fulvous shading into yellow outwardly. The dark markings are smaller than in the other species, but pronounced and clearly defined. Wings below very dark, sprinkled with lighter scales. Expanse 1.85-2.00 inches.

The larva feeds upon all kinds of plants belonging to the currant family.

Ranges from Siberia to Nova Scotia, thence south to the latitude of Pennsylvania.

GENUS VANESSA FABRICIUS

(THE TORTOISE-SHELLS).