melitaea] NYMPHALIDAE 331 



out of 7. Hindwings with transverse vein absent between 4 

 and 5. 



A rather hmited genus, inhabiting Europe, N. and C. Asia, 

 N. Africa, N. America. Some of the European species allied 

 to J/, athalia form an exceedingly difficult group, in which the 

 limits of the species are hardly detei'minable. Larva with 

 numerous rows of spines clothed or surrounded with bristles. 

 Pupa stout, sometimes with orange spots. 



1. Hindwings with sub terminal row of black dots . 2. 



„ without subterminal dots . 3. athalia. 



2. Hindwings beneath with several rows of dots 2. cinxia. 



„ „ with one row of dots . 1. aurima. 



1. M. aurinia, Rott. (artemis, Hb.) 35-41 mm. Hairs of 

 palpi reddish-orange. Forewings and hindwings ferruginous- 

 orange, with black veins, and suffused ochreous-yellowish bands 

 or series of spots limited by thick blackish lines ; hindwings 

 with subterminal series of black dots. Hindwings beneath as 

 above, but pale bands more developed, subterminal black dots 

 pale-circled. 



Britain to Caledonian Canal, Ireland (except N.), local ; N., 

 C, and SW. Europe, Asia Minor, N. Asia, N. Africa ; 6, Larva 

 black, with numerous whitish dots ; nine rows of short black 

 bristly spines ; head black : on Scabiosa succisa ; 8-5. 



2. M. cinxia, L. 42-48 mm. Hairs of palpi blackish. Fore- 

 wings and hindwings brownish-orange, basally blackish ; veins, 

 some discal bars, and three narrow posterior fasciae blackish. 

 Hindwings beneath ferruginous -orange ; basal, median, and 

 terminal black-edged whitish-yellow bands, containing series of 

 black dots or small spots ; subterminal band of ground-colour 

 with black veins and several blackish dots. 



L of Wight, very local, elsewhere extinct, but formerly 

 ranging from Kent and Hants to York ; Europe, Asia Minor, 

 N. Asia ; 5, 6. Larva black, with scattered white dots ; eight 

 rows of short black spines, placed in fascicles of bristles ; head 

 and prolegs dull red : on Flantago lanceolata and P. maritima ; 

 8-4. When young the larvae live gregariously in compact 

 webs, in which they hibernate. 



3. M. athalia, Rott. 36-43 mm. Hairs of palpi blackisli. 

 Forewings and hindwings brownish -orange, basally blackish ; 

 veins, some discal bars, and three narrow posterior fasciae 

 blackish. Hindwings beneath ferruginous-orange, veins black ; 

 some anterior blotches, a median band, and terminal waved 

 sfacia whitish-yellowish, edged and marked with black lines. 



