Part 33

(12) Papilio indra Reakirt, Plate CXXV, ♂ (The Mountain Swallow-tail).

The resemblance to P. polyxenes is marked, but it will be observed that the tails have undergone even greater reduction in length than in P. brevicauda, and that the band of yellow spots traversing the wings has been reduced in width. Expanse 2.50-2.75 inches.

Found on the high mountains of Colorado, Nevada, and California.

(13) Papilio zelicaon Boisduval, Plate CXXVI, ♂ (The Western Swallow-tail).

In many respects like P. polyxenes, but having the median bands of yellow greatly widened, until on the hind wing the band covers almost the entire basal half of the wing. Expanse 2.75-3.25 inches.

Ranges from Vancouver Island to Arizona and eastward as far as Colorado.

(Note. The name zolicaon, often given by authors, must be replaced by the original name zelicaon.)

(14) Papilio philenor Linnæus, Plate CXXVII, ♂ (The Pipe-vine Swallow-tail).

The caterpillar feeds upon the foliage of Aristolochia sipho, or the “Dutchman’s Pipe,” a plant extensively grown about verandas and porches, and native to the Allegheny Mountains. It also eats the leaves of Aristolochia serpentaria, a smaller plant of the same genus. The wings have an expanse of 3.75-4.25 inches.

The range is from Massachusetts to California and south into Mexico.

(15) Papilio polydamas Linnæus, Plate CXXVIII, ♂ (The Reef Butterfly). (See Plate on p. 198.)

This is the sole representant in our fauna of a great group of splendid butterflies peculiar to the tropics of the New World, which are true papilionids, but without tails, their wings generally of some shade of green, and wonderfully adorned with spots of other colors, generally yellow or crimson. It may easily be recognized from our figure. Expanse 3.00-3.50 inches.

It is found in the extreme southern part of Florida and on the adjoining reefs. It also has a wide range through the Antilles, Mexico, and Central America.

FAMILY HESPERIIDÆ (THE SKIPPERS).

Generally quite small butterflies, with stout thorax. Both sexes have six feet adapted to walking. Tibiæ of hind legs, with few exceptions, have spurs. Lower radial of hind wing in many genera wanting, being represented by a fold in the wing. Eggs hemispherical, flat on base. Larvæ cylindrical tapering from the middle before and behind, with large globular heads, smooth. Chrysalids generally formed on the ground or among leaves and rubbish lightly tacked together with a few strands of silk, in which the cremaster is caught.

A large family, most numerously represented in the tropics of both the Old and New Worlds. About three thousand species are known, of which over one hundred occur within our limits.

SUBFAMILY PYRRHOPYGINÆ

(THE RED-TAILED SKIPPERS).

Rather large butterflies when compared with others in the family. The antennæ terminate in a long, thick, blunt club, forming a regular curve, looking in outline like the handle of an old-fashioned walking-stick. Most of the species are red at the end of the abdomen. Confined to the New World. Only one genus and species of this family occurs within our borders.

GENUS PYRRHOPYGE HÜBNER

(1) Pyrrhopyge araxes Hewitson, Plate CXXIX, Fig. 1, ♂.

Upper side correctly shown in our figure. Below the wings are prevalently yellow. Expanse 2.25-2.50 inches.

Found in Texas, Arizona, and southward.

SUBFAMILY HESPERIINÆ (THE HESPERIDS).

Fore wing generally provided with a costal fold, but never marked with a sexual brand or raised patch of scales on the disk. The hind wing may be provided with a lengthy tail or simply lobed at the anal angle. Antennæ terminating in a fine point, which in some genera is bent backward at right angles to the shaft.

GENUS EUDAMUS SWAINSON

(THE LONG-TAILED SKIPPERS).

Hind wings more or less produced at the anal angle in the form of a long tail. There are a number of species found in Central and South America.