Part 12

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

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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).

Butterflies of medium size. Eyes hairy; palpi somewhat heavily scaled; cell of fore wings may or may not be closed, that of hind wing always open. Fore wings more or less excavated about middle and somewhat produced at ends of upper radial and first median, but not so strongly as in Grapta. Hind wings, with outer margin toothed at ends of veins and strongly produced at end of third median nervule. Eggs short, ovoid, tapering above, and having a few narrow longitudinal ribs, which increase in depth upward; laid in large clusters. Caterpillars when mature, cylindrical, with longitudinal rows of branching spines. Feeding upon elms, willows, and poplars. Chrysalis not unlike that of Grapta.

The genus is restricted to the north temperate zone and the colder mountain regions of subtropical lands. The butterflies hibernate, and are among the first to be seen in the springtime.

(1) Vanessa antiopa (Linnæus), Plate XXX, ♀ (The Mourning Cloak, The Camberwell Beauty).

This familiar insect needs no description. It occurs everywhere in the north temperate zone. Eggs laid in large masses on willows, poplars, and elms. There are two broods in the Middle States, the second hibernating under eaves and in hollow trees. Expanse 2.75-3.25 inches.

There is a rare variety of this insect in which the yellow border becomes broad, reaching the middle of the wings. Only two or three such “sports” are known, one in the possession of the author. There are some collectors who set great store by such “freaks” or “aberrations,” as they are called.

(2) Vanessa j-album Boisduval & Leconte, Plate XXXI, ♂ (The Compton Tortoise).

No description is necessary as our figure will enable it to be immediately recognized. A close ally of the European Vanessa vau-album. Expanse 2.60-2.75 inches.

Larva feeds upon willows. Confined to the northern parts of the country, only occurring in Pennsylvania upon the summits of the higher mountains, and ranging thence to Labrador in the east and to Alaska in the northwest.

(3) Vanessa milberti Godart, Plate XXXII, ♀ (Milbert’s Tortoise-shell).

Easily distinguished by the broad yellow submarginal band on both wings, shaded outwardly by red. Expanse 1.75 inch. The larva feeds upon nettles (Urtica).