BUTTERFLIES OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 203 



In damp woods it is very fond of the flowers of the Indianpipe, or 

 ghost plant {Monotropa uniflora), and the nectar from these seems 

 to make it stupid. At any rate, it never flies far if surprised while 

 feeding on them. 



When feeding, this butterfly usually holds the wings parallel 

 above the back, but frequently, especially late in summer, it feeds 

 with the wings partly spread and making an angle with each other 

 of about 90°. 



/Seasons. — The silver-spotted skipper first appears in the latter half 

 of April, by the end of May is very common, and by the middle of 

 June has become abundant. In July fresh individuals of a second 

 brood appear, and these continue to emerge throughout August, 

 occasional fresh specimens being seen until' the middle of September. 

 The butterfl}^ remains upon the wing in diminishing numbers until 

 the second week in October. The period of maximum abundance is 

 the last week in June and the first half of July. 



Caterpillar. — The caterpillar is very common on acacia trees 

 {Rohinia pseudacacia) especially on those growing on the borders of 

 woods, and on wisteria vines, living in a little shelter made by bind- 

 ing together from two to eight, usuallj^ four or six, of the leaflets of 

 the food plant. It is greenish yellow marked with brighter green, 

 and the dark brownish-red head is marked in front with two large 

 rounded orange spots. 



Chrysalis. — The chrysalis is formed within a crude cocoon made 

 by binding together any materials available. It is usually formed 

 on the ground, beneath leaves, sticks, or bits of wood. The winter 

 is passed in the chrysalis. 



Remarks. — Dr. L. O. Howard has recorded an instance of nocturnal 

 activity on the part of this butterfly in the District. He wrote 

 (Insect Life, vol. 5, no. 5, p. 355, July, 1893) that at 9 p. m. on 

 June 6, after a long-continued rain, the weather being sultry, a hand- 

 some fresh male of this species entered his study through the open 

 window. 



Genus ACHALARUS Scudder 



ACHALARUS LYCIADES (Geyer) 



Frosted Skipped 

 Plate 50, Figure 6 



Occurrence. — Frequent throughout the District in suitable locali- 

 ties, though much less numerous and far less conspicuous than the 

 silver-spotted skipper. 



The frosted skipper is found especially in open fields and gardens 

 and along the sides of roads through open woods. 



