THE LEPIDOPTEKA OF THE JURA. MONT VUACHE. 185 



The Lepidoptera of the Jura. — Mont Vuache. 



By THE LATE J. W. TUTT, F.E.S. 



It is difficult to appreciate how poor the season 1910 was in 

 Switzerland, from a lepidopterist's point of view. The weather was 

 continuously wet for the greater part of the summer, and insects 

 correspondingly late and scarce. News from the mountains referred 

 chiefly to collecting under most dismal conditions, and to such insects 

 as occurred being both excessively late and few in numbers. It would 

 appear that in such a season as this, only two courses were open 

 to the ordinary individual for success, viz., to go south of the Alps 

 into the Mediterranean zone, or to go into the south of France which 

 appeared to be less affected by the unfavourable conditions prevalent 

 in Centz'al Europe. For some time it appeared highly probable that 

 we should not get a holiday abroad at all, but conditions altered 

 somewhat after the summer vacation had commenced, and, although 

 the usual available time was curtailed, a hurried departure was made 

 to Geneva on July 27th, and the idea was formulated that it might be 

 advisable to work the Jura, rather than the higher altitudes of the 

 Alps and that some knowledge might be gained of this delightful 

 region. Arriving at Geneva, the next day a call was made on 

 Professor Blachier, and from him one obtained dolorous confirmation 

 of the unsatisfactory state of the season for Lepidoptera. He proposed 

 a visit to Arcive a village in the neighbourhood of Mt. Vufiche, and 

 Mt. Collonges the southernmost outliers of the Jura chain. An early 

 start (7.30 a.m.) was made next morning in dull grey weather, which 

 continued with occasional showers during the greater part of the day. In 

 spite of the weather, a walk that skirted the side of Mt. Vuache, and there 

 opened out upon the lovely Savoy Valley in the direction of Bellegarde 

 and overlooking the Rhone, was not without interest, and suggested 

 many possibilities in the way of collecting destined not to be fulfilled 

 on this occasion. Just outside the station, on the flowers, Anthrocera 

 carnioUca was still asleep, but Einaturtja atoinaria very much awake, 

 the species being noticed abundantly all the day, whilst a plume 

 resting on the grass proved to be Wkeeleria baliodactyla. The dull 

 weather, however, proved too strong for insects, and it was not 

 till nearly 9.30 a.m. when the temperature began to rise, in spite of 

 the absence of sun, that a few species began to get on the move. 

 Three species of Anthrocera were abundant enough on the flowers 

 by the wayside, A. carnioUca, A. filipendnlae, and A. hippocrepidis 

 without the fire of the Alpine form [transalpina), a few A. lonicerae, 

 and a single A. peticedani red belted, Avith 6 spots. Now and again a 

 wary specimen of Hipparcliia alojonc provoked a chase; no longer, 

 owing to the great difference in the genitalia, is there any question of 

 the specific identity of the H. aUnjone of Geneva, and of the Valais, 

 which have been proved to be the last species, and not H. hermione (or 

 intermediate as was suggested by some lepidopterists). The <? 

 ancillary appendages prove that the latter species docs not occur in the 

 Valais, although common enough as far north as Fontainbleau Forest. 

 H. semelt' also occasionally appeared, the undersides marked strongly 

 with a pale band, whilst Agriades coridon, <? s only, were only just 

 coming out — Pieris rapae was often netted by my companion in hopes 

 of its being P. manni, but to no purpose, whilst P. napi was quite 



July-August, 1911. 



