Plate VII. fig. 1. (Upper Side). Plate VIII. fig. 1. (Under Side).
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Uraniidæ, Westw.
Genus. Nyctalemon, Dalman. (Prod. Monogr. Castn.) Urania. Divis. C. Latr. et God. Papilio (Equit. Achiv. Linn.), Noctua, Fabr.
(Subgenus. Orontes, Swainson, Zool. Illustr. 2d. series, 125.)
Nyctalemon Patroclus. Alis supra fuscis, subtus griseis fusco undatis, utrinque fasciâ communi mediá rectâ albâ, posticis caudatis. (Expans. Alar. fere 6 unc.)
Syn. Papilio (Eq. Achiv.) Patroclus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 749. No. 24. Cramer, Pap. pl. 198. fig. A. pl. 109. fig. A. B. Herbst. Pap. tab. 54. fig. 2. 3. tab. 55. f. 1.
Noctua Patroclus, Fab. Ent. Syst. 3. 2. p. 8. No. 2.
Urania Patroclus, Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. 710.
Habitat: China (Drury). Java, Amboyna (Enc. Méth.).
Upper Side. The antennæ are about an inch long, slender, setaceous, and gradually diminishing from the base to the extremities. The head is small. The thorax is clothed with long soft hair, and, with the abdomen, is of a darkish brown. A remarkable straight narrow line, or bar, of a cream colour, arises from the middle of the anterior edge of each of the fore wings, and, crossing both anterior and posterior wings, ends at the abdominal edges, about half an inch below the abdomen; so that, when the wings are extended, as in the figure, these lines, with the anterior edges, form an equilateral triangle. The space within the triangle is dark brown; but the parts, near the shoulders, are lighter, having a greyish cast or hue, and contain many small transverse curved streaks, extending to the anterior edges, where they are large, black, and very conspicuous, like stripes. Some transverse markings of this kind, are dispersed on the posterior edges of the superior wings, and also on the abdominal edges of the posterior. On the outside the triangle, both on the anterior and posterior wings, is a fascia, of light brown, about half an inch broad, which deepens into a dark brown. On the posterior wings, after becoming dark, it softens again into the same light colour, continuing to the external edges. Each of these wings is ornamented with two tails, the inner ones the longest and near an inch in length, the tips of which incline towards each other; the lesser or outer tails, are about half an inch long, strengthened by the tendons of the wings passing through the middle of them; all of them being bordered with a soft ray of dark brown.
Under Side. The bars or lines, which form the triangle on the upper side, are not visible on this; but the inclosed triangular field appears of a light greyish brown, darker at the borders, and thickly beset with small brown streaks, parallel to each other, and surrounding the body. The costal nerve of the anterior wings composes an edging in each, about an eighth of an inch broad, which diminishes as it approaches the external angle, white, and beautifully marked with black streaks, but smaller than those seen on the upper side. Outside the triangle, both in the anterior and posterior wings, is a broad border of white, which softens into a brown, but lighter than that on the upper side. Both in the white, and in the brown, are some small dashes of black, very thinly dispersed. The internal margin of the posterior wings is furnished with a deep fringe, and the black marks situated below the abdomen, are larger and broader than those on the upper side. The tails are whitish, bordered with brown, and appear as on the upper side.
This is one of those anomalous forms, whereof examples occur in every tribe of animals, baffling the skill of the most profound systematists. By Linnæus, and many other authors, it was considered as a butterfly, and certainly the genus Urania (in which it is placed by Latreille), as we learn from Mr. W. S. MacLeay's valuable memoir upon that genus, published in the first volume of the Transactions of the Zoological Society of London, is composed of day-flying species. Fabricius, however, regarded it as a moth, belonging to the genus Noctua, and nearly related to the genus Erebus, of which the Erebus Odora, figured in the third plate of the present volume, is a conspicuous species; and when we examine the structure of the palpi, and the spurs upon the posterior tibiæ, we find good reason for adopting this relation, admitting, at the same time, that the group in question is one which, from its various affinities and analogies, it is very difficult to assign to any single section.
Plate VII. fig. 2.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Arctiidæ, Steph.
Genus. Callimorpha, Latr. Leach. Hypercompa, Steph. Heraclia, Hubner. Phalæna Bombyx, Drury.
Callimorpha Phyllira. Alis anticis nigris lineis albidis apicalibus, literam B referentibus; posticis sanguineis maculis nigris. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 6 lin.)
Syn. Phalæna (Bombyx) Phyllira, Drury, Append. v. 2. Olivier, Enc. Méth. 5. 94. 236. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georg. tab. 64.
Habitat: New York; taken on the 12th day of July.
Upper Side. The antennæ are black, small, and thread-like, near half an inch long; the head and thorax cream-coloured. Behind the head are two black spots, and on the thorax are three others, longer, and running parallel with it. The abdomen is scarlet, and on each segment is a black mark, forming a row, united together in the middle. All the wings are entire. The anterior ones black, with cream-coloured cilia; the interior edge, and part of the anterior, next the body, are margined with cream colour. A line of the same colour, runs from the body, parallel with, and near to the posterior edge, quite to the external one, where, suddenly returning, in a zigzag manner, it ends at the anterior edge, near the tips, and forms two angles, like a B, with a line placed across its top, or upper part. The posterior wings are scarlet, having a thin border of black, running along their external edges, with four black spots above it, those nearest the abdomen, being in shape like hearts.
Under Side. Like the upper: but the colours are more faint and less distinct.
The caterpillar of this species is brown, with small dorsal and lateral diamond-shaped yellow spots, emitting fascicles of hairs. It feeds, according to Abbot, on the cross-wort, corn, peas, wheat, &c. One of the caterpillars spun up on the 4th of April, and the moth appeared on the 29th. Another spun up on the 27th of May, and came out on the 16th of June. It continues breeding during most part of the summer.
Plate VII. fig. 3.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Arctiidæ, Steph.
Genus. Spilosoma, Steph. Arctia, p. Schrank. Eyprepia, p. Ochs. Phalæna (Noctua), Drury.
Spilosoma Nais. Alis anticis nigris lineis tribus longitudinalibus fusco-fulvescentibus, duabus superioribus externè connexis, posticis pallidioribus margine irregulari nigro. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)
Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Nais, Drury, Append. v. 2
Habitat: New York; taken on the 24th day of June.
Upper Side. The antennæ are black, and pectinated; the head and body are of a light yellowish brown. On the thorax are three black marks, running parallel with it, with several black spots on the abdomen. The anterior wings are black; the cilia of a light yellowish brown, which colour is continued along the interior edges, up to the body; some broad lines, of the same colour, occupy about two-thirds of the wing, running parallel with the anterior and interior edges. The posterior wings are of the same light yellowish brown, with a faint black spot on each, having a broad irregular border, of a faint black. running along the external edges, being very narrow in the middle. All the wings are plain and entire.
Under Side. Exactly like the upper, but the colours are less brilliant.
This species is nearly related to our common British species, Spilosoma lubricepida.
Plate VIII. fig. 2.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Geometridæ, Stephens.
Genus. Geometra, Linn. Stephens. Ennomos, Treitschke, Duponchel.
Geometra Transversata. Alis angulatis fusco-fulvescentibus undique strigis minutis transversis fasciâque tenui communi obscurâ notatis. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc.)
Syn. Phalæna (Geometra) transversata, Drury, Append. v. 2.
Habitat: New York.
Upper Side. The antennæ are filiform, half an inch in length. The head, thorax, abdomen, and wings, of a brown orange. All the wings are angulated and besprinkled with small short transverse streaks parallel to each other. A narrow brown line, beginning at the external angle of the anterior wings, and running in a transverse direction, crosses them and the posterior wings near the middle, meeting above the extremity of the abdomen.
Under Side. Exactly like the upper in every circumstance, except that the brown line is not to be seen.
This species seems nearly allied to the moths, which English collectors call the Thorns, and to which Stephens restricts the name of Geometra, but which M. Duponchel terms Ennomos.
Plate VIII. fig. 3.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Geometridæ, Steph.
Genus. Bupalus, Leach. Fidonia, p. Treitschke. Phalæna (Geometra), Drury.
Bupalus Catenarius. Fronte fulvâ; alis albis lunulâ mediâ; anticis strigis duabus undatis (scil. ante et pone medium), posticis strigâ unicâ, nigris. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)
Syn. Phalæna (Geometra) catenaria, Drury, App. v. 2. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 2. p. 140. No. 41. Gmel. Linn. S. N. 2461. 660.
Habitat: New York (Drury). "In Indiis" (Fabr.).
Upper Side. The head is orange-coloured; the eyes black; the antennæ are broad, and pectinated; the thorax white, with three spots of orange colour, one at each shoulder, the other at the base of the abdomen, where are two small black specks. The abdomen is white, and on each ring is a small black speck. The wings are white; and, on each anterior one, are two denticulated lines, running cross the wing, from the anterior to the interior edge, in a circular manner; the one near the base, the other near the external edge, which last forms, on each nerve, a small black speck like an arrow head. Between the two lines is a black spot near the anterior edge. The posterior wings have a similar line running cross them, from the anterior to the interior edges, in a circular manner, and, meeting a little above the extremity of the abdomen, with a black spot in each near the middle.
Under Side. Is similar to the upper, only the black spots are more conspicuous.
Plate IX. fig. 1. 2.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Bombycidæ, Steph.
Genus. Ceratocampa, Harris, Append. to Hitchcock's Geology of Massachusets. Cerocampa, Kirby & Spence, Ind. Introd. to Ent. Odonestis, Germar. Stephens. Lasiocampa, Latr. Schrank. Bombyx, Fabr.
Ceratocampa Imperialis. Alis flavis, fusco irroratis et variegatis, omnibus infra maculâ discoidali subocellari fuscâ. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc. 9 lin. ♂.—6 unc. ♀.)
Syn. Phalæna (Attacus) Imperialis, Drury, App. v. 2.
Bombyx Imperialis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 435. No. 89. Gmel. Lin. S. N. 2417. 510.
Phalæna Imperatoria, Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georgia, tab. 55. Oliv. Enc. Méth. 5. 56. 116.
Bombyx Didyma, Pal. Beauv. Ins. Lep. pl. 20.
Habitat: New York (Drury). India (Fabricius).
Upper Side. The antennæ are of a reddish colour, broad and pectinated, and, near the extremities, appear as if they were stripped of their comb-like appendages. The thorax and abdomen yellow, clouded with a light reddish-brown colour, inclining to crimson. The anterior wings are of a fine bright yellow, with several clouds on them of the same brown colour, whereof one takes its rise at the tips, and runs along the external edge to the lower corners, being narrower at the extremities than the middle, where it branches off, and unites to a large cloud near the shoulders. The yellow parts of all the wings appear as if sprinkled with dark irregular specks. The posterior wings are of the same bright yellow as the anterior, and have, in the middle of each, a small brown eye, with a lighter spot in its centre. An irregular bar of the same reddish brown colour crosses these wings, which, beginning at the outer angle, meets at the anal angle. The edges of all the wings are plain.
Under Side. The thorax and abdomen are yellow. All the wings are of the same yellow colour, and sprinkled with brown as on the upper side. The superior wings have on each a light reddish brown eye near the middle, with a light spot in the centre, and a round brown spot above it. The anterior margins next the body are of a reddish brown; and the same cloud that appears along the external edge of each wing on the upper side, appears also on this, but fainter. The inferior wings have a reddish brown eye in each near the middle, with a lighter spot in the centre, and of the same size as on the upper side.
The figure here given, is taken from the male; the female being much larger, expanding full six inches; the antennæ being thread-like, and not combed or pectinated as the male.
This species breeds twice in the year, namely in June and September. The caterpillar, according to Abbot, feeds on the plane-tree (Platanus occidentalis Linn.), oak, liquidambar, and pine trees. Some of them are of a tawny colour, others tawny and orange, others green. They are furnished with long rigid hairs, and the second and third segments of the body are also armed with two pair of short, erect, rugose horns. This insect is placed by Mr. Kirby in his new genus Cerocampa, together with Phalæna regalis, Fabr. Mr. Kirby had, however, evidently in view the caterpillars of the latter insect, when he proposed this generic name, and which are armed with numerous, long, erect, rigid spines, those near the head being curved, and giving the insect somewhat the appearance of a cockatoo. This larva is figured by Abbot and Smith, pl. 61, and specimens, admirably preserved by Abbot, are contained in the collection of the Entomological Society of London, presented by Mr. Kirby. There is also considerable difference between the chrysalides of these two insects, that of imperialis being more elongate, with a bifid tail, and with transverse rows of short abdominal spines, of which the chrysalis of regalis is destitute. One of the caterpillars observed by Abbot, went into the ground on the 16th of September, and the moth came out on the 4th of July. They are extremely difficult to rear in confinement.
Plate IX. fig. 3.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ, Steph.
Genus. Noctua, Auct.
Noctua Squamularis. Alis cinereis, anticis fasciâ irregulari centrali ferrugineâ, lineis duabus externè cinctâ, posticis fasciis duabus obscuris. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 9 lin.)
Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) Squamularis, Drury, Append. v. 2.
Habitat: New York; taken on the 11th day of May.
Upper Side. The antennæ are brown, like fine threads. The tegulæ of a pearl colour, standing up as if projecting from the back. The colours on the anterior wings are divided by a strong bar of a deep chocolate, running cross the wings near the middle, from the anterior to the posterior edges. This softens into a deep slate colour, covering that part of the wings down to the external edges. The part next the shoulders is of a light ash or pearl colour, whereon are two small black spots or stripes, situated near the anterior edge. On the dark part near the lower corner, run two small black irregular lines, from the posterior edge; one running cross the wing, the other only half across. The posterior wings are of a lightish brown, having two bars of a deep brown (almost black) rising from the abdominal edge, and crossing the wing upward, grow broader and fainter as they approach the middle and anterior edge.
Under Side. Is of a faint russet colour, having little or no marking thereon. All the wings are slightly dentated.
I am unable to ascertain to which of the modern genera of Noctuidæ, this and the following species are referrible.
Plate IX. fig. 4.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Nocturna. Family: Noctuidæ, Steph.
Genus. Noctua, Auct.
Noctua Undularis. Alis subdentatis nigricantibus, strigis transversis undulatis circiter 8. (Expans. Alar. 2 unc.)
Syn. Phalæna (Noctua) undularis, Drury, App. vol. 2.
Habitat: New York.
Upper Side. The antennæ are brown and thread-like. The head, body, abdomen, and wings are of a very dark brown, bordering on black, and appear somewhat glossy. All the wings are a little dentated, and on the anterior ones, from the base to the extremity, is a series of black indented lines or bars, whereof the last or outer one is strong and conspicuous, crossing the wing from the anterior to the posterior edges, about a quarter of an inch from the external margin. The posterior wings are marked exactly like the superior.
Under Side. Is of a lighter colour, with the same kind of markings, but fainter.
Plate X. fig. 1. 2.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ. Swains.
Genus. Nymphalis, Latr. Papilio (Nymphales Gemmati), Linn. Papilio Satyrus, Fabr. (Ent. Syst.).
Nymphalis Feronia. Alis subdentatis, supra cœruleo, fusco et albo marmoratis, omnibus ocellis sex iride simplici. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 6 lin.)
Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Gemm.) Feronia, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 770. No. 140. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 226. No. 710. Cramer, pl. 192. fig. E. F. Herbst. Pap. tab. 225. fig. 1. 2. Latr. et God. Encycl. Méth. p. 428. (Nymphalis F.).
Habitat: Surinam (Drury). India (Linn. Fabr. incorrectly).
Upper Side. Antennæ black, with two small white spots at their bases, on the front of the head, and two more close to the eyes, on the top of the head; likewise two on the neck, and two longer ones on the thorax. The thorax and abdomen of a very dark blueish hazel. Anterior wings, next the shoulders, of a dark blueish hazel, black at the tips and outer margin, where are many different shaped flesh-coloured spots; the parts nearest the shoulders having many denticulated marks and dashes of a blue colour; some being also scattered all over the wings. About a third from the shoulder, near the anterior margin, on each wing, is a short, red, crooked line, which is seen on the under side. Near the outer margin are five ash-coloured spots, all of them being encircled with black, and some being edged with blue. Posterior wings of the same dark hazel as the anterior; the external edges being black between the scollops. Each wing is divided into a number of small different shaped spots margined with blue; and near the external margin are six black spots, whose irides are blue, having white ones in their centres. Below these is a double row of blue marks, like beards of arrows, placed on the black marks between the scollops. All the wings are dentated.
Under Side. Anterior wings whitish, about a third part at the base; the remainder being a dark chocolate, with many different shaped ash-coloured spots. Near the external edges are five round ash-coloured spots on a row, one being placed above the rest. Posterior wings chiefly whitish, except at the outer angle and external edges; the latter being alternately marked with dark chocolate and ash colour, near which is a row of four round ash-coloured spots, encircled with chocolate, and a small faint one near the anal angle.
Plate X. fig. 3. 4.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.
Genus. Pieris, Schrank. Latr. et God. Colias, Horsf. Papilio (Danai Cand.), Linn. Drury. Iphias, Boisduv.
Pieris (Iphias) Glaucippe. Alis supra albis, anticis maculâ magnâ apicali (medio fulvo) nigrâ, subtus (nisi dimidio basali anticarum) cinereis strigis minutis fuscis irroratis. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc.)
Syn. Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Glaucippe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. 762. No. 89. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 198. No. 618. Cramer, Pap. pl. 164. A. B. ♂. C. ♀. Herbst. Pap. tab. 96. f. 1-3. Encycl. Méth. ix. p. 119. (Pieris G.), Boisduval, Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 596. (Iphias G.)
Fem. Pap. Callirhoe, Fab. Mant. Ins. 2. 20. 215.
Habitat: China (Drury). Java (Dr. Horsfield). Bengal (Boisduval).
Upper Side. Head and neck light brown; thorax, dark blue, clothed with white hairs; abdomen white, with a blueish tinge. Anterior wings next the body white, occupying more than one half. The tips are black, which colour runs along the anterior and external margins, encircling a large spot of a deep orange, whereon are four small triangular black spots. Posterior wings wholly white, and very slightly dentated.
Under Side. The mouth, breast, and feet are ash-coloured. Anterior wings next the body white; the extremities of a deep flesh colour, sprinkled over with a great number of small dark brown streaks. Posterior wings of a yellowish flesh colour, and covered with small dark brown streaks.
M. Boisduval has formed the present species, and another large Pieridean, into the genus Iphias, which differs from Thestias, and Mancipium (Anthocharis Bdv.), in the structure of the antennæ. The larva and pupa of this species are described and figured by Dr. Horsfield, in his Lepidoptera Javanica, pl. 3, fig. 7, and 7a, (copied by Boisduval, pl. 2A. fig. 3.). The former is long subcylindrical, with the dorsal segments somewhat rugose, being transversely shagreened; it feeds upon the Capparis. The pupa is navicular, the head being produced into a point. The female imago differs from the figure here given (which represents the male), in having the black markings more diffused.
Plate XI. fig. 1. and 4.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.
Genus. Papilio, Auct.
Pap. Philenor. Alis dentatis nigris, posticis caudatis virescenti-nitidis maculis albis, subtus maculis fulvis albo notatis serieque digestis. (Expans. Alar. unc. 3¾).
Syn. Pap. Philenor, Linn. Mant. (1771). 6. 535. Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 445. No. 12. Smith and Abbot, Ins. Georgia, Vol. 1. tab. 3. Encycl. Méth. 9. 40. Boisduval, Hist. Nat. Lepid. 1. p. 324. No. 167. Boisd. et Leconte, Icon. Lep. Amer. Sept. pl. 11. f. 1-4. Say, American Ent. Vol. 1. pl. 1.
Pap. Astinous. Drury, App. Vol. 2. (1773). Cramer, 208. A. B.
Habitat: North America, from New York to Georgia.
Upper Side. Head and neck black, with two small white spots between the antennæ at their base, and eight more on the head and neck. Thorax black. Abdomen of a glossy hue. Anterior wings black, with a very glossy greenish tinge at the anterior angle, with eight small, white, narrow crescents on the external margin of each, which make them appear as if dentated. Posterior wings of a dark glossy green, with two tails issuing from them. The concave part of each scollop is edged with white; and six whitish spots run along their edges, meeting below the extremity of the body.
Under Side. Breast, legs, and abdomen black; the sides spotted with cream-coloured spots, one of which appears on the inferior wings, on each side the breast. Anterior wings, next the tips, are of the colour of soot; but next the body, black, with five whitish spots on the external margin, near the interior angle. The upper part of the posterior wings, next the body, are soot-coloured; the remaining parts of them being of a glossy blue, with seven dark orange spots, placed in a circular manner, a little distance from the edge, and meeting at the extremity of the body: each spot is encircled with black, except in that part where a small silver mark appears on its edge, being represented in the plate by white. The scollops are deeper edged on this side with white than on the upper.
This butterfly is one of the most beautiful, and, at the same time, most common of the North American species; abounding wherever the Aristolochia serpentaria grows, the larva feeding upon that plant. It is described by Boisduval and Abbot, and is brown, with four rows of small fulvous tubercles, and a row of brown spines near the legs; moreover, it has two long spines directed forwards upon the first segment, three upon the penultimate, and two upon the tenth segment. The neck is also furnished with a furcate retractile reddish tentacle; the chrysalis is of a violet grey, or reddish colour, with two yellow spots, the head being truncate. The female is larger, with brown-coloured wings, with cupreous reflections. The insect assumes the chrysalis state on the 26th of April, and the fly appears on the 4th of May. Another, observed by Abbot, went into chrysalis on the 21st of June, and the butterfly came out on the 5th July. The latter delights to frequent the blossoms of the peach and other trees in the spring.
Plate XI. fig. 2. 3. and 5.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.
Genus. Papilio, Auct.
Papilio Asterias. Alis dentatis nigris, fasciâ maculari maculisque marginalibus flavis; posticis caudatis, angulo ani fulvo, puncto atro, abdominis dorso duplici serie punctorum flavorum. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc. 6 lin.—4 unc.)
Syn. Papilio Asterias, Fabr. Mant. Ins. tom. 2. p. 2. No. 13. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 6. No. 16. Cramer, tab. 385. f. C. D. God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 58. No. 91. Boisduv. et Lec. Icon. Lep. Amer. Sept. pl. 4. Boisd. Hist. nat. Lep. 1. 332. No. 175.
Papilio Troilus, Drury, App. Vol. 2. Abbot and Smith, Ins. Georg. 1. t. 1. (exclus. Syn. Linn. et Fabr.)
Habitat: New York, Maryland, Carolina, Virginia (Drury).
Upper Side. Antennæ, head, and body black, with two yellow spots at the bases of the antennæ, and two more on the neck; the sides of the abdomen being spotted with two rows of the same. Anterior wings black. A row of eight or nine yellow spots runs along each wing, near the external edge. Within these appears another row, smaller in figure 3, but larger in figure 2, and shaped like triangles, above which are two spots, one nearly round, the other very oblong, which last is not seen in figure 3. Posterior wings black and dentated, with one tail issuing from each. Six yellow spots appear near the external edge; and at the anal angle is an orange-coloured one, with a black dot in its centre. Some specimens have a yellow bar running transversely from the row of triangles on the superior wings, and meeting below the extremity of the body, just above the orange spot, as in fig. 2. In some, instead of a bar, is seen a row of spots (as in fig. 3), which are sometimes very faint. Where this happens, the space between this row and the six spots mentioned before, consists of a shining blue colour; but in proportion as the yellow bar is more or less distinct, the wings have more or less blue on them.
Under Side. The under side in all the different varieties differs but very little. The breast, sides, abdomen and feet are black. The anterior wings of a dirty black colour, with nine yellow spots near the external edge; above these, nearer the body, are eight others, varying in size, and two small clouds or patches close to the anterior edge. Posterior wings, next the shoulders, dirty black, with the inner scollops edged with yellow crescents (appearing also on the upper side), within which are six spots near the edge—four orange and two yellow. Seven or eight orange spots, tipped with yellow, run circularly across the middle of the wing. Below each spot in this row is a ray of shining blue, separated by a strong black mark, and scattered with powder-like spots. An orange spot, with a black centre, is placed at the anal angle.
This species is subject to considerable variation in the size of the internal series of yellow spots, which is sometimes even entirely obliterated in the females, in which the yellow is much less brilliant, and the spots smaller than in the males. These varieties somewhat resemble Papilio Troilus of Linnæus, with which, indeed, Drury and Smith[21] confounded the insect here described. Godart and Boisduval have added to the confusion by their incorrect references to our author, the first of these writers giving figure 2 of this plate as alone representing P. Asterias, and figs. 3, 4, and 5, (which represent two distinct species) as P. Troilus, Linn. which species Drury has not figured; and both of these authors quoting figure 2, both under Troilus and Asterias, although Drury expressly states, that the specimens figured at 2 and 3, were reared by him, with many other individuals, from chrysalides, sent from America by his correspondent, who assured him that they proceeded from the same brood. The preparatory states of P. Asterias are figured by Abbot and Smith, and Boisduval. The larva feeds upon Umbelliferæ, especially the fennel (Anethum fæniculum, Linn.), and Daucus Carota, and is very similar to that of Pap. Machaon, which species appears to be replaced in America by P. Asterias, and which makes its appearance in the perfect state three times in the year. Abbot states, that one of the caterpillars assumed the chrysalis state on the 12th of July, and the imago appeared on the 20th.
Plate XII. fig. 1. 2.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.
Genus. Papilio, Auct.
Papilio Paris. Alis nigris, aureo-viridi pulverulentis, posticis caudatis supra maculâ magnâ discoidali cyaneâ ocelloque purpureo; subtus lunulis septem rufis. (Expans. Alar. 4 unc.—4 unc. 9 lin.)
Syn. Papilio (Equit. Troes.) Paris, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 745. No. 3. Fab. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 1. No. 1. Cramer, pl. 103. A. B. Esper. Aus. Schmett. tab. 2. fig. 1. Boisduval, Hist. Nat. Lep. 1. p. 208.
Habitat: China.
Upper Side. Head, thorax, and abdomen black, and beautifully powdered with fine green specks. All the wings are black, but have a greenish hue, occasioned by a multitude of powder-like specks of a fine green. On the posterior margin of the anterior wings, near the lower corner, arises a series of green spots, becoming weaker, disappearing near the middle of the wing, and composed of powder-like specks. Posterior wings scolloped or dentated, each furnished with one tail, each scollop being edged with white. At the anal angle, near the corner, is a deep red spot, shaped like a semi-eye, whose pupil is black; and towards the upper corner of the wing, is a large and very splendid blue spot, appearing in some directions of a saxon green colour, and diminishing to a line as it approaches the semi-eye, over which it extends in an arch-like form, being there of a fine green colour.
Under Side. It has apparently no palpi. Breast and abdomen of a very dark brown. The superior wings dark brown at the base; from the middle of the anterior edge of a dark ash colour, running towards the upper corner, the tendons between being dark brown, which unite together at the external edge. Posterior wings almost black, sprinkled, or finely powdered, with small grey specks near the abdomen; round the external edge is a series of eye-like rings of an orange colour, edged above with purple.
This very handsome species is often received from China, but in an imperfect condition. The female, according to Godart (Enc. Méth. ix. p. 67.) is the Papilio Bianor, Fabr. which has no trace of the shining green spot on the posterior wings. M. Boisduval, however, asserts, that this is not correct, and that the female differs only from the male in having the ground of the wings rather darker, and possessing a transverse interrupted fascia of green dots near the external margin of the upper wing; these being represented in Drury's figure, therefore indicate that his specimen was of the female sex.
Dr. Horsfield has figured another species from Java (Lepid. Javan. pl. 1. fig. 14.), differing very slightly from the preceding, under the name of Papilio Arjuna, of which he has also figured the larva and pupa (pl. 4. fig. 11.). The former has the three first segments of the body covered, as it were, with a leathery shield, elevated behind, and ornamented with several ocelli; the other segments are simple; the chrysalis is considerably curved, with the head bifid.
Plate XII. fig. 3. 4.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Papilionidæ, Leach.
Genus. Colias, Latr. et God. Papilio (Danai Candidi), Drury. Callidryas, Boisduval.
Colias (Callidryas) Pyranthe. Alis albis, anticis supra puncto minuto discoidali apiceque nigris, margine interno penicillatis, subtus (nisi basi anticarum) flavescentibus strigis numerosissimis fuscis. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc.)
Syn. Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Pyranthe, Linn. Syst. Nat. 2. p. 763. No. 98? Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 97. (Colias P.), Boisduval, Hist. Nat. Lepid. 1. p. 611. (Callidryas P.)
Papilio (Dan. Cand.) Chryseis, Drury, Append. vol. 2.
Papil. Gnoma, Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 210. No. 658?
Pap. Nepthe, Fabr. loc. cit. p. 120?
Habitat: China.
Upper Side. Thorax of a blueish black, with white hairs. Abdomen white. Anterior wings white, with a small oblong black spot near the middle of each; black at the tips, which colour extends down the external edge to the interior angle, and also runs a little way along the anterior margin towards the body. Posterior wings white, without any marks or shades. The edges of all the wings are entire.
Under Side. Breast, feet, abdomen, and anterior superior wings white, being covered about a third part from the tips with small, longish, light-brown streaks, making that part appear of a pale yellow. Posterior wings of the same pale yellow with the small streaks. One sex is very remarkable for having a number of hairs growing on the posterior edges of the anterior wings, next the body; some of which are erect, some bending downwards, and some lying flat on the wing.
There is much confusion respecting the specific names of this and several other Asiatic species, as may be seen from the citations in the synonyms. I have followed the French authors in assigning Drury's insect to the Pyranthe of Linnæus, although that author describes his insect as having a discoidal red spot on each of the wings beneath. The species of this group are variable in the intensity of their markings, and the males are less strongly marked than the females; and as Drury's figure represents a male (distinguished by the bundle of hairs on the interior margin of the anterior wings) it may possibly be an extreme variety of the male of Pyranthe. Boisduval has indeed described another species of considerably smaller size, which is destitute of the discoidal spot (Call. minna), which also, he considers, may possibly be a variety of C. Pyranthe.