BUTTERFLIES OF MONTANA. 



55 



The hind winss have the basal two-thirds reddish brown more or 

 less mottled with yellow, the outer boundary of this color a row of seven 

 silver spots. Outer margin brown, fading into yellow at the anal angle, 

 and within this another row of seven large silver spots rounded within 

 and edged with brown. Between these two rows is a bright yellow band 

 without spots. 



Fig. 42. Argynnis cybele. 



Early Stages — The egg is short, conoidal, ribbed like those of other 

 species, and honey-yellow. The larva in mature state is 1.8 to 2 inches 



long, velvety black, chocolate-brown underneath. 

 The body has six rows of slender black spines, 

 generally ornamented with orange red at the 

 base, and beset with many short black bristles. 

 The caterpillar is nocturnal, and feeds on violets. 

 It hibernates immediately on hatching from the 

 egg, feeding to maturity the following spring. 

 The chrysalis is dark brown, mottled with 

 reddish brown or slaty grey. 



Distribution — It is from the Atlantic west- 

 ward to Nebraska. Barber, 1894, reports it from 

 the northwestern part of Nebraska. It has been 

 taken at Edmonton. B. C, whei-e it was found 

 flying with A. iais by Captain Gamble Geddes, in 

 188.3. A single specimen is in the Wiley collec- 

 tion from Miles City, taken June, 1900. It is a 

 trifle less than three inches expanse, and placed 

 side by side with specimens from Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois is indis- 

 tinguishable from them. It has been taken at no other place in the state, 

 and only the one specimen has been taken at the present writing. 



Fig-. 43. Venation of 

 Argynnis leto. 



