LEPIDOPTERA 



751 



the long-beaks; the veins of the fore wings are not greatly swollen 

 at the base as in the meadow-browns, except in the genera Mestra 

 and Eunica, which are found only in the extreme South ; the discal 

 cell of the hind wings is not closed as in the heliconians; and the 

 antennas do not appear to be naked as in the milloveed butterflies. 



The larvae are nearly or quite cylindrical, and are clothed to a 

 greater or less extent with hairs and sometimes with branching spines. 



The chrysalids are usually angular, and often bear large projecting 

 prominences; sometimes they are rounded. They always hang head 

 downwards, supported only by the tail which is fastened to a button 

 of silk. 



Our genera of nymphs represent six quite distinct groups, as 

 follows. 



I. THE FRITILLARIES 



The fritillaries are butterflies varying from a little below to some- 

 what above medium size. The color of the wings is fulvous, bordered 

 and checkered with black, but not so heavily bordered as in the next 

 subgroups. The lower surface of the wings is often marked with curv- 

 ing rows of silvery spots. The common name fritillary is from the 

 Latin fritilhis, a dice box, and was suggested by the spotted coloration 

 of these butterflies. 



In the larvae there is an even number of rows of spines on the 

 abdomen, due to the fact that there are none on the middle of the 

 back. The larvae feed upon the leaves of violets. 



There are many species of fritillaries, about fifty occur in America 

 north of Mexico, and it is difficult to separate the closely allied species. 



The great spangled fritillai-y, Argynnis cyhele. — This species (Fig. 

 957) will serve to illustrate the appearance of the larger members of 

 this group, those belonging to the genus Argynnis. In this genus 

 vein R2 of the fore 

 wings arises before the 

 apex of the discal cell. 



There are a num- 

 ber of common fritil- 

 laries which resemble 

 the preceding in color 

 and markings but 

 which are much small- 

 er, the wings expand- 

 ing considerable less 

 than 50 mm. These 

 belong to the genus 

 Brenthis. In this gen- 

 us vein R2 of the fore 

 wings arises beyond 

 the apex of the discal cell. 



The variegated fntillary, Euptoieta claudia. — This butterfly agrees 



Fig. 957. — Argynnis cybele. 



