Genus Thecla 
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. 
(i) Thecla grunus, Boisduval, Plate XXIX, Fig. 1 2,$ (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, 1.10-1.20 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 
Fig. 129. —Neu- 
ration of Thecla 
edwardsi. (After 
Scudder.) Typical 
neuration of the 
genus. 
