76 BULLETIN 15 7, U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Genus BASILARCHIA Scudder 



BASILARCHIA ARTHEMIS ASTYANAX (Fabricius) 



Black Admiral 

 Plate 5, Figures 1-A 



Occurrence. — Very generally distributed, occurring in open 

 deciduous woods throughout the District and the surrounding 

 country, but nowhere numerous, being usually noticed as single 

 widely separated individuals. It is occasionally to be seen about the 

 trees in the Smithsonian Institution grounds, and was formerly to 

 be found about fish, cabbages, or fruit in Center Market. 



Habits. — This fine butterfly is usually seen along the borders of 

 partially shaded woodland roads, and sometimes along the edges 

 of woods or shrubby roadsides. It usually keeps well above the 

 ground, from 6 to 8 feet or more, and is rather shy and difficult to 

 catch. It has a leisurely and statel}^ flight, turning and twisting 

 about, flapping and sailing alternately, and unless disturbed never 

 wanders far from a given spot. If frightened it rises high in the 

 air and makes off very rapidly through the trees, but sooner or later 

 it usually returns to its favorite locality. Females are sometimes 

 seen traveling in a direct line with a continuous flapping of the wings 

 6 or 8 feet above the ground over open fields from one patch of 

 woodland to another, but I have never caught a male making such a 

 flight. 



This butterfly is very fond of sunning itself on the upper surface 

 of a leaf with the wings partially extended, and also of simply 

 resting on a leaf with the wings closed above the back. 



It is often seen on muddy spots in roads sucking up the moisture. 

 It is extremely fond of carrion and of filth of all descriptions, and 

 decaying carcasses will attract it from a long distance. Like other 

 carrion-feeding butterflies, it is very easily caught about a carcass. 



Seasons. — This butterfly appears very sparingly about the middle 

 of May and becomes common toward the last of the month. Fresh 

 individuals continue to emerge through June and well into July. 

 In the middle of July the second, more abundant, brood appears, 

 the individuals continuing to emerge until well into August. About 

 the first of September fresh individuals again appear, and these 

 become common in the middle of the month. 



This species is to be found flying in varying numbers throughout 

 the summer, from the middle of May until the second week in 

 October. It is rather scarce early in summer, common in the last 

 week in July and during the first half of August, and most 

 numerous in the last half of September. 



The specimens in the Schonborn collection are dated May 6, 8, and 

 13; they were evidently raised. The National Museum contains a 



