BUTTERFLIES OF MONTANA. 



71 



dark markings on the outer margin are slighter. On the under side the 

 fore wings are pale fulvous, spotted with purple at the tip and outer 

 margin. The hind wings below are ferruginous, mottled with purple. 

 Expanse. l.fiy-l.SO inches, 41-46 mm. 



Early Stages — Similar to that of B. myrina, but the caterpillar in its 

 mature form differs in not having the spines on the second segment of 

 the body lengthened as in that species. Chrysalis, bluish gray in color, 

 marked with dark spots. 



Distribution — The butterfly is very common in the whole of the 

 northern United States, as far south as Virginia. It occurs throughout 

 Quebec, Ontario, and British America, as far west as the foothills of the 

 Rocky Mountains. In the state taken by Elrod at Missoula and at Swan 

 Lake; by Brandegee at Rimini, near Helena. 



THE HELENA FRITILLARY. 

 Brenthis helena, Edwards, Fig. 58. 



Fig. 58. Brenthis helena. 



Butterfly — The wings on the upper side are fulvous, greatly obscured 

 by brown at the base of the fore wings and along the inner margin of 

 the hind wings. The usual markings are light, and the marginal border 

 is also not so heavily marked as in B. myrina. The fore wings on the 

 under side are pale fulvous laved with ferruginous at the tip. The hind 

 wing brightly ferruginous, with small yellow marginal spots and paler 

 spots inclining to buff on the costal border and at the end of the cell, 

 about the region of the median nervules. 



The female is very much like the male on the upper side, but the 

 ground color is paler. On the under side the markings are more con- 

 spicuous. Expanse, 1.40 inches, 35 mm. 



Early Stages — Unknown. 



Distribution — Helena appears to be a common species in Colorado, 

 Montana and New Mexico. It is subject to considerable variation, both 



