BUTTERFLIES OF THE CENTRAL PROVINCES. 279 



THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE OENTKAL PROVINCES 



By J. A. Betham. 



Part III. 



(Continued from Volume V., page 161.) 



27. Junonia asietie, Linnaeus {344). This and the next in Mr. de 

 Nieeville's book are, I am persuaded, one and the same butterfly. It 

 heads the genus Junoma of Hubner, all of which, except perhaps 

 J. atlites^ are of a sprightly nature with a rapid flight. It is a 

 bright rust-red butterfly with brilliant peacock spots on both wings. 

 It looks something like the English " Peacock " butterfly, paled by a 

 residence in a hot climate ! It is found in glades and gardens by the 

 margins of streams and about tanks, and looks very handsome as it 

 sits and fans its wings in the sunshine. 



28. Junonia almana, Linnaeus (345). There is very little differ- 

 ence between this and the last butterfly on a casual examination ; but 

 if looked at closer, it will be seen that the shape of the wings is some- 

 what different, the bindwing being more tailed and the forewing more 

 falcate. The markings on the underside are less prominent, the 

 oeelli have almost entirely disappeared, and the white bar or fascia 

 aci*oss the hindwing of J, asterie is scarcely perceptible. J. asterip 

 is commoner in the wet season, while J. almana predominates in the 

 dry season. 



29. Junoma atHtes, Linnaeus (346). This is the largest species of 

 the genus, — at least in these parts, — and is always found in and about 

 marshy spots, on the borders of streams and damp places generally. 

 It is a pale grey butterfly, the wings appearing somewhat transpa- 

 rent; it has some small "peacock" spots on both wings. The flight 

 is distinctly slower than any of its relatives, so that there is no 

 difficulty in capturing it. 



SO. Junonia lemonias, Linnaeus (347). This is the commonest 

 species of the genus, and is found almost everywhere. It is a dusky- 

 brown insect with yellowish and black markings and similar " pea- 

 cock " spots on both wings as has J. atlites. The underside varies 

 considerably in many specimens, it is generally of a pale clay colour, 

 but often is almost brown and frequently reddish or pink. I have a 

 specimen in which the ground-colour of the hind-wiiig is clear claret 

 37 



