92 



BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA. 



THE CALIFORNIA TORTOISE-SHELL, Eugonia californica, Boisduvai. 



Fig. 73. 



Fig. 73. Eugonia californica. 



Butterfly — Similar in general shape and appearance to E. J. album, 

 but easily distinguished by the following peculiarities. 



Color — Deep fulvous, spotted with black and having a black border. 

 A black bar across the cell. On the underside dark brown, with a light 

 border. The entire surface marked with fine lines. Expanse 2.00-2.25 

 inches, 51-o7 mm. 



Early Stages — The caterpillar feeds upon Ceanothus. 



Distribution — It ranges from Colorado to California and as far north 

 as Oregon, east to Miles City. 



In 1900 californica was quite common up Hell Gate canyon near 

 Missoula, many having been brought in late in May and early In June. 

 August 20 it was still abundant at Swan Lake, giving evidence of two 

 broods. It is not infrequent about Flathead lake, and evidently covers 

 much unexplored western territory. Wiley reports it at Miles City 

 In 1903 the earliest butterfly at Missoula was a californica taken Febru- 

 ary 19. 



