Part 14

HELICONIA CYNISCA.

PLATE XI. Fig. 2.

Godart.--Pap. Ricini (Fem.), Linn.--H. Erato, Fabr.--Pap. Vesta, Cramer, Pl. 119, fig. A.

This species presents a considerable similarity to the preceding, both in size and distribution of colours. The surface is deep black; a large portion at the base of the anterior wings fulvous-red, traversed by three black nervures; near the middle a large spot of sulphur-yellow, and beyond it a circular series of smaller unequal spots of the same colour. The under wings have from five to seven red stripes, extending in a radiated form from the base towards the hinder margin. Beneath the design is similar, but the ground colour inclines to brown, and one of the yellow spots on the superior wings is prolonged nearly to the base. The body is black, the sides of the thorax spotted with yellow, and the breast marked with transverse lines of the same colour; there is likewise a yellow line along the under side of the abdomen.

The above description applies to the most ordinary form of this insect, but it is liable to a good deal of variation. It occurs in Guiana.

HELICONIA SYLYANA.

PLATE XI. Fig. 3.

Godart.--Pap. Sylvana, Cramer, Pl. 364, C, D.--Herbst., Pap. tab. xvii. fig. 1, 2.

This handsome species measures upwards of three inches and a quarter between the tips of the wings; the latter are very much rounded, entire on the edges, and the hinder pair diverge widely from the abdomen; the superior fulvous from the base to the middle, with the costa, a slender streak at the base, and a central kidney-shaped spot, black; beyond this a pretty wide oblique band of sulphur yellow; the space between this band and the apex deep black, with eight unequal spots of dull yellow, slightly transparent, disposed in two irregular transverse bands, and two or three small white points at the apex. Inferior wings likewise with the inner half fulvous, the outer half black, emitting narrow stripes internally, one of which reaches nearly to the base, dividing the wing into two portions; towards the hinder margin are a few yellow spots: body cinereous, with a yellow longitudinal line on each side, and a similarly coloured band along the belly; antennæ reddish-brown, dusky at the base.

A native of Surinam.

PLATE 12.

Lizars sc.

1. 2. Heliconia flora. 3. ------ diaphana. 4. Acræa Pasiphæ.

1 & 2 from Surinam. 3 Jamaica. 4 Africa.]

HELICONIA FLORA.

PLATE XII. Figs. 1 and 2.

Godart.--Pap. Flora, Cramer, Pl. 257, fig. B, C

The above plate affords examples of that division of the Heliconian butterflies, in which the greater proportion of the wings is denuded of scales and transparent. H. Flora of Cramer very closely resembles H. Ægle (Fabr.), and may possibly prove a mere variety of that species. It expands nearly two inches. The upper wings are black with two transparent bands, that next the base very large, lying parallel with the costa as far as the middle, and then descending obliquely towards the posterior angle, divided by a transverse black stripe, and a longitudinal nervure of the same colour; the second band macular, and placed near the apex. The under wings are transparent, the whole of the outer border surrounded by a black stripe, which is divided towards the angle by a fulvous line; the nervures black. Under side similar in design to the upper, but the whole of the outer border of the wings surrounded by a rust-coloured line, and the extreme edge marked with a few very small white points. Body cinereous above and greyish beneath; antennæ black.

The caterpillar probably resembles that of H. Ægle, represented by Madam Merian, which is brown, clothed with hairs, and feeds on the Sophora. Both species are found in Surinam.

HELICONIA DIAPHANA.

PLATE XII. Fig. 3.

Godart.--Pap. Diaphana, Fabr., Cramer, Pl. 231, fig. C, and Pl. 315, fig. D, E--Drury’s Exot. Insects, ii. Pl. 7, fig. 3.

About the size of the preceding, but the wings narrower and wholly transparent, with the outer margin and nervures brownish-black. On the upper wings, rather beyond the middle, there is a black abbreviated transverse band, placed somewhat obliquely, and preceded by a small white spot on the costa. On the under side the marginal band is not so dark as above, and there is frequently a series of small white spots on the hinder edge of the posterior wings; in the latter also, the anterior edge is tinged with sulphur yellow. Body black above and grey beneath, with white points on the head; antennæ black.

The marginal band varies in breadth, and in the secondary wings it is sometimes longitudinally divided by a narrow line of rust-red.

Occurs in Jamaica, Brazil, Virginia, &c.

GENUS ACRÆA.

The insects of this genus are generally below the middle size, and of a brownish-red colour, variously striped and spotted with black. With the exception of a small division, which ought probably to be referred to another genus, they are natives of the old world, principally of the western coasts of Africa. The palpi are slender and nearly cylindrical, the terminal joint minute, forming a kind of nipple on the apex of the second which is very long; antennæ rather short and terminating somewhat suddenly in a club; anterior tarsus spatulate, scarcely toothed at the extremity; internal edge of the inferior wings not embracing the abdomen. The caterpillars are either spiny, like those of Argynnis, or covered with rigid hairs, but we are yet acquainted with very few of them. The chrysalis is suspended by the tail.

ACRÆA PASIPHÆ.