Genus Epargyreus 



The palpi are profusely covered with thick scales, in which the 

 third joint is almost entirely concealed. The fore wing of the 

 male is furnished with a costal fold; the hind wing is prominently 

 toothed at the extremity of the submedian vein. 



Egg. The egg is elevated, hemispherical; 

 that is to say, it is flattened at the base, rounded 

 above, its height being almost equal to the width. 

 It is marked by about ten narrow, greatly ele- 

 vated longitudinal ridges, which sometimes fork 

 below the summit, and between which are a 

 multitude of fine cross-lines. The micropyle is 

 greatly depressed. 



Caterpillar. The caterpillar closely resembles FIG. 154. Neu- 

 the caterpillar of the genus Eudamus, but the ration of the genus 



, ., , . Epargyreus. 



head is not as strongly bilobed. 



Chrysalis. The chrysalis likewise resembles the chrysalis of 

 the genus Eudamus ; the cremaster, however, is not as strongly 

 hooked as in that genus. 



(i) Epargyreus tityrus, Fabricius, Plate XL11I, Fig. 5, $ ; 

 Plate II, Figs. 30, 31, 33, larva ; Plate VI, Figs. 22, 25, 26, chrysa- 

 lis (The Silver-spotted Skipper). 



Butterfly. This very common and beautiful insect may easily 

 be recognized from the figure in the plate. The broad, irregular 

 silvery spot on the under side of the hind wings distinguishes it 

 at a glance from all other related species in our fauna. Expanse, 

 1.75-2.00 inches. 



Early Stages. These have been accurately described by sev- 

 eral authors, and a very full account of them is contained in 

 "The Butterflies of New England." The caterpillar feeds upon 

 leguminous plants, and is especially common upon the Wistaria, 

 which is grown about verandas, and on the common locust 

 (Robinia pseudacacia). The caterpillar makes a nest for itself in 

 the same manner as Eudamus proteus. Pupation generally takes 

 place among fallen leaves or rubbish at the foot of the trees upon 

 which the caterpillar has fed. 



This butterfly has a wide range, extending to the Gulf, 

 south of a line passing from Quebec to Vancouver, and ranging 

 still farther south as far as the Isthmus of Panama. It is single- 

 brooded in the North, and double- or triple-brooded in the South. 



