The butterfly guide

(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.

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).

Found at high elevations in the Appalachian highlands, ranging northward to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, thence westward to the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Coast, its distribution being determined by temperature and the presence of its food-plant, though its distribution seems to be more dependent upon climate than upon food, as nettles abound in the Southern States, where the insect is never found.

In addition to the three species of Vanessa, which we have figured upon our plates, it should be mentioned that there is a very pretty species, known as Vanessa californica, which occurs upon the Pacific Coast. It somewhat closely resembles the European Vanessa urticæ. In southern California it is only found upon the mountains, but about Vancouver and elsewhere in British Columbia it occurs at sea-level. It is a pugnacious little thing, and fights at sight any other butterfly which comes near. The food-plant of the larva is Ceanothus thyrsiflorus. W. G. Wright informs us that the butterfly in the spring delights to feed upon the gum of Abies concolor, when it is still fluid.

The butterflies of this are like those of the last genus in the structure of their wings, except that the hind wings are not angulate, and below the hind wings are generally marked with eye-like spots. Egg ovoid, closely resembling that of Vanessa. Larva like that of Vanessa, but spines relatively not so large and not so distinctly branching. Form of chrysalis very like that of Vanessa. The genus includes comparatively few species, but most have a very wide range, Pyrameis cardui being almost cosmopolitan in its distribution, having a wider range than that of any other butterfly.

(1) Pyrameis atalanta (Linnæus), Plate XXXIII, ♀ (The Red Admiral).

This familiar butterfly is found throughout temperate North America, Europe, northern Africa, and temperate Asia. Expanse 2.00-2.50 inches.

Larva feeds on the leaves of hop vines, on nettles, and Bœhmeria.

(2) Pyrameis huntera (Fabricius), Plate XXXIV, ♂ (Hunter’s Butterfly).

Marked much like P. cardui, but easily discriminated from it by the two large eye-like spots on the under side of the hind wings. Expanse 2.00 inches.

Caterpillar feeds on cud-weed ( Gnaphalium) and Antennaria. Ranges from Nova Scotia to Mexico and Central America, being comparatively rare in California, but more abundant east of the Sierras.

We all know Hunter’s Butterfly. How many know that its name commemorates that of a most remarkable American, John Dunn Hunter? Captured by the Indians in his infancy, he never knew who his parents were. He was brought up among the savages. Because of his prowess in the chase they called him “The Hunter.” Later in life he took the name of John Dunn, a man who had been kind to him. He grew up as an Indian, but after he had taken his first scalp he forsook the red men, no longer able to join them in their bloody schemes. He went to Europe, amassed a competence, became the friend of artists, men of letters, and scientists. He was a prime favorite with the English nobility and with the King of England. He interested himself in securing natural history collections from America for certain of his acquaintances, and Fabricius named the beautiful insect shown on our plate in his honor. His Memoirs of Captivity Among the Indians are well worth reading. In that charming book, Coke of Norfolk and His Friends, which recently has been published, there are some most interesting reminiscences of this American gentleman, for gentleman he was, although reared by savages. The presumption is established that his unknown progenitors were gentlefolk. “Blood will tell.”

(3) Pyrameis cardui (Linnæus), Plate XXXV, ♀ (The Painted Lady; The Thistle Butterfly).

Easily distinguished from the preceding by the numerous and much smaller eye-spots forming a band on the under side of the hind wings. Expanse 2.00-2.25 inches.

Found all over the world, except in the tropical jungles of equatorial lands.

The caterpillars feed on various species of thistles, nettles, and marshmallows.

Medium-sized butterflies with eye-spots on upper side of wings. Neuration almost exactly like that of the genus Pyrameis, save for the fact that the cell of the fore wing is usually, and of the hind wing always, open. Egg broader than high, flattened on top and adorned by ten very narrow and low vertical ribs. Caterpillars cylindrical, longitudinally striped, and with several rows of branching spines. Chrysalis arched on back, curved inwardly in front, and somewhat bifid at head, with the two projections rounded.

There are a score of species, most of which are found in the tropics of the Old World. Three occur in our region, two of which are found in the extreme south. The one which is common we have figured.

(1) Junonia cœnia Hübner, Plate XXXVI, ♂ (The Buckeye).

The spots of the upper side reappear on the lower side, but are much smaller, especially on the hind wings. Expanse 2.00-2.25 inches.

The larva feeds most commonly on plantains ( Plantago), snapdragons ( Antirrhinum), and Gerardia.

Very common in the Southern States, ranging as far north as New England, west to the Pacific, and south into South America.

Medium-sized butterflies, having a weak, hovering flight, and keeping near the ground. Palpi have the second joint thick, the third joint tapering, lightly clothed with scales. Fore wings rounded at apex, the outer and inner margins lightly excavated, cell closed by a feeble lower discocellular, which often is wanting, thus leaving the cell open. Outer margin of hind wings sinuous, produced at end of third median nervule, cell open. First and second subcostal nervules in fore wing fuse with costal.

There are four species of this genus, one of which occurs in the United States, the rest being found in tropical America.

(1) Anartia jatrophæ (Linnæus), Plate XXXVII, ♂ (The White Peacock).

The figure we give will readily serve to identify this insect, which occurs in Florida and Texas, and ranges thence southward to Argentina. Expanse 1.75-2.00 inches.

Rather small butterflies. Antennæ long and slender, with enlarged club, having two grooves. Third joint of palpi of female longer than that of male. The fore wing has the costal and median vein enlarged and swollen at the base. The upper discocellular vein is wanting, the cell is lightly closed. The hind wing is rounded, with its outer margin entire.

The species of the genus have the upper side of the wings dark brown or black glossed with violet, blue, or purple. Below the wings are very beautifully marked. There are about seventy species which have been described, all of them from the American tropics, two of which, however, come within our borders, Eunica tatila, occurring in Florida, and the following:

(1) Eunica monima (Cramer), Plate XXXVIII, Fig. 1, ♂; Fig. 2, ♀ (The Dingy Purple-wing).

This obscure little butterfly represents its genus in Texas and Florida, and gives but a faint idea of the beauty of many of its congeners. It ranges southward and is common in Mexico and the Greater Antilles. Expanse 1.35-1.50 inch.

Small, delicate butterflies with elongated fore wings, having the costal vein much swollen near the base, somewhat as in the Satyrinæ. The upper discocellular is lacking in the fore wing, and the cell is feebly closed. Outer margin of the hind wing feebly crenulate; cell open; the two radials spring from a common point.

A number of species and local races have been described.

(1) Cystineura amymone Ménétries, Plate XXXIX, ♂ (The Texas Bag-vein).

On the under side the gray markings of the upper side are replaced by yellow, and on the hind wings there is a transverse white band near the base and an incomplete row of white spots on the limbal area. Expanse 1.50 inch.

Ranges from Kansas southward through Texas into Central America.

Small butterflies; the upper side of the wings dark in color marked with bands of metallic blue or silvery green, the lower side more or less brilliantly colored, the fore wings of some shade of crimson or yellow, banded near the apex, the hind wings silvery white or some pale tint, with circular bands of black enclosing round or pear-shaped black spots.

There are about thirty-five species of the genus thus far known, all of which are found south of our limits, except the one we figure.

(1) Callicore clymena Hübner, Plate XL, Fig. 1, ♂, upper side; Fig. 2, ♀, under side (The Leopard-spot).

Found in Florida, but though quite common farther south, appears to be rather local and rare in the peninsula. Expanse 1.75 inch.

Medium-sized butterflies. Palpi moderately long, thickly clothed with scales, the last joint pointed. Fore wing usually somewhat falcate at apex, deeply excavated on outer margin; hind wing greatly produced at the end of the third median nervule, the wings being tailed in such a way as to make them resemble some species of Papilio. There is also a prolongation of the outer margin of the wing between the extremity of the submedian vein and the first median nervule. On the upper side the wings are generally dark in color, often marked with transverse bands and lines; on the lower side they are light in color, with pronounced darker bands.

Of the thirty species thus far known four occur within our territory, all of them being found far south.

(1) Timetes coresia (Godart), Plate XLI, ♂, under side (The Waiter).

Easily recognized by the figure we give. As I stated in “The Butterfly Book” it deserves the trivial name I have given it, its black upper side and the white vest it wears suggesting the functionary who attends us at table. Expanse 2.50 inches.

Occasionally found in Texas.

Large butterflies, our species being one of the smallest of the genus. Palpi produced, heavily scaled, rising above the head. Fore wings excavated on the outer margin; costal and median veins stout; upper discocellular vein wanting, and lower discocellular feeble or lacking. Hind wings somewhat crenulate on the outer margin, the cell, which is relatively quite small, being feebly closed by an attenuated veinlet.

The genus, which is quite large, reaches its greatest development in the tropics of the Old World, and there is only one species in the western hemisphere, which may have been introduced in the old days of the slave trade. Most of the species are mimics and the strange thing is that the mimicking form is generally the female, which has the color and markings of some one or other of the milkweed butterflies of the African and oriental tropics. The female of our species patterns after the markings of Danais chrysippus, a common milkweed butterfly of Africa. This adaptation of species to the form and color of “protected” insects is of course not conscious. It is the result of a long evolution in past ages.

(1) Hypolimnas misippus (Linnæus), Plate XLII, ♂; Plate XLIII, ♀ (The Mimic).

Occurs in Florida, the Antilles, and northern South America. While very abundant in Africa, it seems to be scarce in the New World. The female differs greatly from the male on the upper side of the wings, but resembles that sex on the lower side. Expanse ♂, 2.50 inches; ♀ 3.00 inches.

Rather large butterflies. Fore wings subtriangular, rounded at the apex, and lightly excavated on the lower two thirds of the outer margin. Hind wings rounded, somewhat crenulate. Egg nearly spherical (see Plate C, Fig. f) pitted with large hexagonal cells. The caterpillar in its mature state cylindrical, with the second segment adorned with two prominent club-shaped tubercles, and the fifth, ninth, and tenth segments also having raised tubercles (see Plate C, Fig. h). They feed upon oaks, birches, willows, and lindens, preferably the two latter. The caterpillars after hatching hibernate in little winter quarters, which they make out of the fragment of a small leaf, which they tie together with silken threads, and also secure to the twig by a few strands. The chrysalis has a projecting boss on the back; the head is either rounded or slightly bifid.

There are a number of species in the United States, several of which mimic other butterflies in a singular manner, B. disippus closely resembling Anosia plexippus. The caterpillars do not pupate until summer has come; the butterflies take wing when the lindens bloom.

(1) Basilarchia astyanax (Fabricius), Plate XLIV, ♀ (The Red-spotted Purple).

Our figure gives a good idea of the upper side of the wings. On the lower side the wings are brown, banded with black on the margins, the inner row of marginal spots being red, with two red spots at the base of the fore wings, and four such spots at the base of the hind wings. Palpi white below; a white stripe along the sides of the abdomen. Expanse 3.00-3.25 inches. The egg and caterpillar are shown on Plate C. The caterpillar is found on a variety of plants, but most commonly on lindens, willows, and wild cherry trees.

Found all over the United States and Canada, as far west as the Rocky Mountains, but not in the very hot lowlands of the Gulf region. Is said to occur on the uplands of Mexico.

Between B. astyanax and the following species, B. arthemis, there is more or less affinity. They represent two lines of evolution from a common ancestry, and there are evidences of atavic reversion to type constantly occurring in both forms. They even occasionally interbreed with each other, and hybrids are not altogether uncommon. The whole genus in fact is in a more or less plastic state, and well deserves the careful attention of biologists.

(2) Basilarchia arthemis (Drury), Plate XLV, ♂ (The Banded Purple).

Our figure shows the upper side of the form which is most usual. It will be seen that there are red spots on the hind wings behind the white band. There is a variety called proserpina in which the white band becomes very narrow and the red spots almost or entirely disappear. When the white band and the red spots wholly disappear, as they sometimes do, it is almost impossible to distinguish this species from B. astyanax. Expanse 2.50-2.75 inches. The egg has “kite-shaped” cells. The caterpillar feeds on willows, hawthorns, and wild apple and plum trees.

Found in Canada, New England, and southward in Pennsylvania upon the higher ranges of the mountains. It is a northern form. It has not thus far been recorded from the western half of the continent, where it is replaced by a somewhat similarly marked, but larger, species, known as B. Weidemeyeri. The latter insect is found as far east as western Nebraska and Colorado. I have taken it very frequently in Wyoming about Laramie Peak, where it seems to be a common insect in the wooded canyons.

(3) Basilarchia disippus (Godart), Plate XLVI, ♂; Plate C, Fig. f, egg; Fig. h, larva. (The Viceroy).

Mimics Anosia plexippus. Range from Canada to the Gulf.

This is one of the most striking cases of mimicry which occurs in our fauna.

(4) Basilarchia lorquini (Boisduval), Plate XLVII, ♂ (Lorquin’s Admiral).

Easily distinguished by white bar at end of cell of fore wing and red spot at apex. Expanse 2.25-2.75 inches.

Cell of fore wing lightly closed, of hind wing open; outer margin of wings rarely excavated. The chrysalids have peculiar forms, having bifid heads and broad wing-cases; marked with metallic spots on a brown ground.

There are many species in tropical America, some of which are very showy; only one occurs within our limits.

(1) Adelpha californica Butler, Plate XLVIII, ♂ (The Californian Sister).

The insect, well displayed in our figure, has an expanse of from 2.50-3.00 inches. The caterpillar feeds upon oaks. The range is through southern California, Nevada, southern Utah, Arizona, and Mexico.

Small butterflies generally of some shade of fulvous, with a submarginal row of eye-like spots on the hind wings, and in a few species with a similar spot on the fore wings. The apex of the fore wing is somewhat truncated and the lower two thirds is slightly excavated. Hind wings somewhat elongated posteriorly at the anal angle. Outer margins more or less crenulate. Eggs nearly globular, broad on top, ornamented with eighteen to twenty broad, but low, vertical ribs, between which are delicate crosslines; laid in clusters. Head of caterpillar squarish, crowned by two diverging spines on which are many little spinules. Back of the head there is a frill of spines. Body thickest at the middle, tapering fore and aft. Hind pair of pro-legs long and diverging. They feed upon hackberry trees ( Celtis). The chrysalis has a very remarkable arrangement of the cremaster, which is disk-like, studded with hooks; the whole so arranged that the pupa, when suspended, hangs with the ventral or belly side parallel to the supporting surface.

There are numerous species in the genus, many of them tropical and very brilliant, only two commonly occur in the northern portions of our territory, the others found within our limits being inhabitants of the Southern States.

(1) Chlorippe celtis Boisduval & Leconte, Plate XLIX, Fig. 1, ♂ (The Hackberry Butterfly).

Under side grayish purple, with the spots and markings of the upper side reappearing. Female larger, and, as always is the case in the genus, with the fore wings not so pointed as in the male, and the ground-color paler. Expanse ♂, 1.80 inch; ♀, 2.10 inch.

Ranges from New Jersey west and south to the Gulf.

(2) Chlorippe clyton Boisduval & Leconte, Plate XLIX, Fig. 2, ♂ (The Tawny Emperor).

A larger species than the preceding; tawnier on the upper side of the wings and lacking the red-ringed eye-spot on the fore wing. Female much larger than the male, paler in color, with the eye-spots on the hind wings black and conspicuous. Expanse ♂, 2.00 inches; ♀, 2.50-2.65 inches.

Occurs rather rarely in New England, and extends westward to Michigan, thence southward to the Gulf of Mexico.

(3) Chlorippe flora Edwards, Plate L, Fig. 1, ♂, Type (The Red Emperor).

Like C. clyton this species has no red-ringed eye-spot on the fore wing. The ground-color on the upper side is bright reddish fulvous; the hind wings are not heavily obscured with brown, as is the case in C. clyton, and the black ocelli stand forth very prominently upon the lighter ground. The hind wings are more strongly angulated than in any other North American species, and are solidly bordered with black. Expanse ♂, 1.75; ♀, 2.35 inches. Ranges from Florida westward along the borders of the Gulf of Mexico to Texas.

(4) Chlorippe alicia Edwards, Plate L, Fig. 2, ♂, Type (The Buff Emperor).

Resembles C. celtis in having an ocellus in the fore wing, but it may at once be distinguished by its larger size in both sexes, the paler color of the wings on the upper side, which shade from pale fulvous at the base into light buff outwardly, upon which the eye-spots on the hind wings show up very prominently. Expanse ♂, 2.00; ♀, 2.50 inches.

The range of this species is the same as that of the preceding.

Medium-sized butterflies. Palpi well clothed with scales, the second and third joints very nearly of the same size, the latter blunt. Fore wings square at the apex, slightly excavated about the middle, the cell being closed by a stout lower discocellular vein, more or less continuous with the third median nervule. Hind wing strongly produced at the end of the third median nervule, rounded at the outer angle, with two short tooth-like projections before the anal angle.

There are less than a dozen species of the genus, most of which are South American, but there are two in Africa and one in Madagascar. Only one occurs within the United States, and is confined to the extreme south.

(1) Hypanartia lethe (Fabricius), Plate LI, ♂ (The Orange-banded Red).

Occurs as a straggler in our fauna in the extreme southern part of Texas, but is very abundant farther south. Expanse 2.00 inches.

There are only two species of this genus and they closely resemble each other, so that it is hard to tell them apart. The one which occurs in our borders has the hind wing rounded at the anal angle, the other, S. blomfildi, has the anal angle of the hind wing squared, with a slight tail-like prolongation. On the under side both species are marked in much the same way.

(1) Smyrna karwinskii Hübner, Plate LII, ♀ (Karwinski’s Beauty).

The insect may be at once recognized by the figure we give. Expanse 3.00-3.25 inches.

It occurs in southern Texas and ranges southward into Brazil.

This is a monotypic genus, that is to say, it contains only one species. It is therefore not necessary to take up much space in describing it, because the figure we give will enable the reader at once to recognize it. It is a very powerful insect on the wing.

(1) Cœa acheronta (Fabricius), Plate LIII, ♂ (The Dash-wing).

This lovely insect, which has a certain resemblance to the following species, is common in the Greater Antilles, Mexico, and Central America. It occurs about Brownsville, Texas, but is not common there. Expanse 3.00-3.25 inches.

The genus, like the preceding, is monotypic, and contains but the one species A. odius (Fabricius). It is so striking and so easily recognizable by the figure we give on Plate LIV that nothing more need be said, except that it has a wide range through the American tropics, being found in southern Florida and Texas, the Greater Antilles, and from Mexico to southern Brazil. Expanse 3.75-4.00 inches.

Medium-sized butterflies. Front wings falcate at apex; hind wings tailed at end of third median nervule. Costal margin of fore wing angulated at base, inner margin straight. Upper side of wings generally fulvous or red; lower side mottled and marked so as to resemble dried leaves. Egg spheroid, flattened at base, depressed on top, marked with a few rows of raised points about summit. Caterpillar with head globular, first segment behind it much smaller than head; body cylindrical tapering behind. Chrysalis short, stout, keeled on sides; cremaster globular at tip, and so arranged as to cause the chrysalis to hang at a slant.

This is a large genus characteristic of the American tropics. The larvæ feed on euphorbiaceous and lauraceous plants, after the third moult making hiding-places for themselves by rolling up leaves and tying them with silk. There are three species in the United States, two of which we figure.

(1) Pyrrhanæa andria (Scudder), Plate LV, ♂ (The Goatweed Butterfly).

Bright red above, margins dusky; on under side gray dusted with brown scales. Females marked by incomplete pale bands on the limbal area. Expanse ♂, 2.50; ♀, 3.00 inches. Larva feeds on Croton capitatum. Ranges from Illinois and Nebraska to Texas.

(2) Pyrrhanæa morrisoni (Edwards), Plate LVI, ♀ (Morrison’s Goatweed Butterfly).

More brilliantly and deeply red on upper side than preceding species. Both male and female have the wings with bands of lighter color on the limbal area, but these are not solid, as in the female of P. andria, but made up of spots, as shown in the figure. Expanse 2.25-2.50 inches.

Found in Arizona and Mexico.

The genus which is here engaging our attention is one which is wonderfully well represented in the New World, where it takes the place of the magnificent insects belonging to the genus Charaxes of the tropics of the Old World. On the under side they closely mimic dried leaves. This assimilation to the color of dead leaves is protective.

Medium or moderately large-sized butterflies. Costal and subcostal fused near base; cells of both wings closed. Upper side of wings curiously marked with checkered spots, generally some shade of blue with white; under side with broad paler shades: white, yellow, or red. They are rapid fliers, alight on the trunks of trees head downward, wings expanded against the bark of the tree. When they fly they make a clicking sound with their wings. The manner in which this sound is produced is a mystery. Bates in his A Naturalist on the Amazons writes about it but gives no explanation. In my rambles in tropical forests I have heard it as the insects gyrated above my head, but I do not know how the sound is made.

There are about thirty species of the genus in tropical America, two of which are occasionally found in southern Texas.

(1) Ageronia feronia (Linnæus), Plate LVII, ♂ (The White-skirted Calico).

The ground-color of the under side is broadly white, while that of the other species in our fauna, A. fornax, is yellow. They may thus be easily told apart.