Part 17

Lizars sc.]

NYMPHALIS ETHEOCLES.

PLATE XVII. Fig. 1.

Pap. Etheocles, Fabr.--Cramer, Pl. 119, fig. D, E.--Nymph. Etheocles, Godart.

This and the following species present an outline very similar to that of C. Jasius, and they might even, without much impropriety, he referred to the same genus; but, as there are several points of difference, and as we are yet unacquainted with the caterpillars, it may he preferable in the mean time to allow them to remain in the situation they occupied in Latreille’s arrangement.

N. Etheocles is a native of Africa, and is found chiefly on the coast of Guinea. It is nearly of the size of C. Jasius; the surface greenish-black, with a broad white band running obliquely across the middle of the wings; on the primary wings this band is divided into spots and contracted anteriorly, having a group of three or four small white spots on the inner side near its origin. Besides the white band, which is regular and continuous, the under wings have a row of white crescents parallel with the hinder border, succeeded by a black line, the border itself of a lighter green than the general ground colour, and having a few rust-coloured crescent-shaped marks. On the under side the prevailing colour is pale brown, somewhat glossy, with a white band similar to that described; three ocellated spots are observable at the base of the upper wings, and in the same situation on the other pair are three black transverse lines edged with blue. The internal angle of the superior wings bears a double black spot, and a series of violet lunules runs along the hinder border of the under wings; the border itself green marked with a row of black points.

NYMPHALIS TIRIDATES.

PLATE XVII. Fig. 2 and 3.

Pap. Tiridates, Fabr. Cramer, Pl. 161, fig. A, B; Drury’s Insects, iii. Pl. 23, fig. 1, 2; Donov. Insects of India, Part iii. Pl. 2, fig. 3.

Extent of the wings nearly four inches, the surface very dark blue approaching to black, the nervures brown; beyond the middle are two transverse rows of small round spots of pale blue, and along the hinder margin a series of small dull yellow crescents. The ground colour beneath is brownish-grey, somewhat glossy; the superior wings having a few transverse waved streaks of black edged with blue towards the base, then a few yellow streaks succeeded by a pretty regular row of yellow spots, and on the internal angle are two black spots, partially or wholly surrounded with blue and surmounted by yellow crescents: under wings marked in a manner somewhat similar to the upper pair at the base; the hinder margin with a continuous row of violet ocellated spots, preceded and followed by a row of yellow lunules; tails rather short and slender, brown; body dark brown above with four whitish points on the head, the under side inclining to yellow, antennæ black, the palpi yellow beneath.

Found in the islands of Java and Amboina.

PERIDROMIA ARETHUSA.

PLATE XVIII. Fig. 1, Fem.

This genus has lately been proposed for the reception of a few species formerly classed among the Nymphales. They are remarkable for having the surface covered with blue markings on a dark ground, and in other respects seem to be entitled to generic distinction. The neuration of the wings presents the annexed arrangement.--The caterpillar (at least of P. Amphinome) bears some resemblance to that of Morpho. It is long and attenuated behind, the anal extremity deeply forked, and the head armed with eight strong unequal spines, resembling a kind of coronet. The chrysalis is elongated, bifid anteriorly, and having a series of dorsal spines. They are natives of the New World. The male of the species above referred to is of a deep black colour on the surface, with a silky gloss, sprinkled with numerous small blue spots; the female is larger, and besides markings similar to those of the male, has a broad white band in the middle of each of the superior wings lying obliquely, and terminating in a point. The whole of the under side, in both sexes, is shining brown with a very slight tinge of green; the hinder wings with ten rounded bright red spots, three near the base, two on the interior edge, and five forming a row on the hinder margin towards the anal angle. The white band is likewise conspicuous on the under side of the female, and in place of it, in the male, there is a bluish interrupted oblique line; body black above and spotted with blue; brown beneath, with red spots on the breast.

PLATE 18.

1. Peridromia Arethusa 2. P. Amphinome. S. America

Lizars sc.]

This beautiful species is a native of Brazil.

PERIDROMIA AMPHINOME.

PLATE XVIII. Fig. 2.

Pap. Amphinome, Linn. Cramer, Pl. 54, fig. E, F.--Roesel’s Ins. i, Pl. 10, fig. 1, 2; Merian, Ins. Surin. Pl. 8.--Le Papier Marbré de la Chine, Daubenton, Pl. enl. 92, fig. 7, 8.

Bears considerable resemblance to the preceding on the upper side, the ground colour being glossy black, the whole surface variegated with waved streaks and spots of greenish-blue; these markings frequently assume the appearance of hieroglyphics, and towards the hinder margin of the inferior wings they indistinctly represent a series of oval ocelli. Both sexes have a broad oblique white band across the upper wings, but it is sinuated on the edges, while in the female of P. Arethusa the edges are always entire. On the under side the general colour is brown; the upper wings with a triangular red patch at the base, the colour between this and the central white band is black glossed with green; beyond the white band are two rows of white points, one of them lying along the margin. The under wings have the anterior half red, that colour divided by rays of greenish-black, which occupies the whole of the hinder portion, except where it is interrupted by a few whitish spots. Body coloured like the wings above, greyish beneath, the breast red.

We are indebted to Madam Merian for a representation of the caterpillar, the peculiar appendages of which have been already mentioned. The colour of its body is a delicate green, with longitudinal rays alternately blue and yellow; the pectoral legs black; the head dull yellow. It feeds on the Jasminum Indicum. The chrysalis is of a yellow colour.

The insect inhabits various parts of South America, in some places rather plentifully.

MARIUS THETIS.

PLATE XIX. Fig. 1.

Pap. Thetis, Fabr.--Nymph. Thetis, Godart.--Pap. Petreus, Cramer, Pl. 87, fig. D, E; Stoll’s Supp. Pl. 2, fig. 2, A, (caterpillar), fig. 2, B, (chrysalis); Swainson’s Zool. Illus. Pls. 59 and 110.

This singular looking insect is distinguished generically by the peculiar shape of the wings, and the equally remarkable appearance of the caterpillar. Of the former the posterior edge of the primary pair is concave, and the apex is distinctly truncated; the same edge of the secondary wings has two long linear tails, the anal one shorter and curved outwards, the external long, obtuse at the extremity, and turned somewhat obliquely outwards. The caterpillar is naked, with four long fleshy filaments on the back, and two others projecting from the hinder part of the head; the chrysalis likewise with several projecting filaments.