Genus Thecla 



Fig. 129. — Neu- 

 ration of Thecla 

 edwardsi. (After 

 Scudder.) Typical 

 neuration of the 

 genus. 



comparative study of the species belonging to this great group. 

 Inasmuch, however, as most American writers have heretofore 

 classified all of these insects under the genus 

 Thecla, the author has decided not to deviate 

 from familiar usage, and will therefore not 

 attempt to effect a subdivision according to the 

 views of recent writers, which he nevertheless 

 approves as scientifically accurate. 



Egg- —Considerable diversity exists In the form 

 of the eggs of the various species included under 

 this genus as treated in this book, but all of them 

 may be said to be turban-shaped, more or less 

 depressed at the upper extremity, with their sur- 

 faces beautifully adorned with minute projections 

 arranged in geometric patterns. 



Caterpillar.— -The caterpillars are slug-shaped, 

 their heads minute, the body abruptly tapering at 

 the anal extremity. They feed upon the tender leaves of the 

 ends of branches, some of them upon the leaves of flowers of 

 various species. 



Chrysalis.— What has been said concerning the chrysalids of 

 the family applies likewise to the chrysalids of this and the suc- 

 ceeding genera. They lie closely appressed to the surface upon 

 which they are formed, and are held in place by an attachment 

 at the anal extremity, as well as by a slight girdle of silk about 

 the middle. In color they are generally some shade of brown. 

 (1) Thecla grunus, Boisduval, Plate XXIX, Fig. 12, <$ (Bois- 

 duval's Hair-streak). 



Butterfly. — The wings are brown on the upper side, lighter 

 on the disk; in some specimens, more frequently of the female 

 sex, bright orange-tawny. On the under side the wings are pale 

 tawny, with transverse marginal and submarginal series of small 

 dark spots on both wings. Two or three of the marginal spots 

 near the anal angle are black, each crowned with a metallic- 

 green crescent. Expanse, 1.1 0-1.20 inch. 



Early Stages.— These have, in part, been described by Dyar, 

 "Canadian Entomologist," vol. xxv, p. 94. The caterpillar is 

 short, flattened, the segments arched, the body tapering back- 

 ward, bluish-green, covered with little dark warty prominences 

 bearing tufts of hairs, obscurely striped longitudinally with broken, 



238 



