COLIAS II., III. 



I have bred, a male and a female, were from larvte which had these spots largely 

 developed. Both are dark lemon-yellow above, and of a rich shade beneath, 

 heavily dusted. In the male (Fig. 5, PI. 1.) the discal spot on under side of 

 primaries is red-centred, and the fringes on upper side are roseate throughout, 

 not mixed with yellow as is usual. The other butterflies of the brood were in 

 no way singular. 



About Coalburgh, PhiJodice appears early in May, and is on the wing in suc- 

 cessive generations till about the first of November, b_y which time severe frosts 

 destroy thein. The eggs are deposited uj)ou the clover leaves, a single one to a 

 plant, and the females may often be seen flying about the lawn or meadow for this 

 purpose. 1 have not attempted to obtain eggs in confinement upon other food- 

 plants attributed to the species, but Mr. Dodge has succeeded with the buftlilo- 

 pea, Astralagus caryocarpus, which grows on the prairies, and is one of the plants 

 on which the lai'va? o? Eurytheme feed. The young larvas are at first rather dif- 

 ficult to manage, having a disposition to roll off the leaves, and are apt to be lost 

 in the l>reeding-cage. I have succeeded better when inclosing them in covered 

 glass vessels, changing the leaves frequently. This tendency to drop at the least 

 disturl)ance the larvie retain till maturity, aiid it is naturally their sufficient pro- 

 tection against enemies or destruction. They lie exposed on the upper surface of 

 the clover leaf, and resemble its color closely. When first from the egg, each 

 makes for itself a hole in the leaf, and feeds at the edges of this for several days 

 (Figs, c, f/,), but as it increases in size, it devours the leaf from the end or 

 side. As the time approaches for the change to chrysalis, the larva seeks the 

 protection of some stem, bit of bark, or fence rail, spins a button of pink silk and 

 a light web over the surface of the object, fastens its anal feet in the one and its 

 forefeet in the other, and hangs with its back curved downward or outward. 

 Gradually the markings of the body become obliterated, lost in uniform green. 

 In this condition the larva rests for some hours, then rousing itself, spins a 

 loop of several threads from the base of the feet on one side to a like point on 

 the other, instinctively knowing just how long to make the threads, and pres- 

 ently, seizing the loop in its jaws, manages to throw it partly over the head, and 

 by a great effort works it entirely over and down the back to the fourth seg- 

 ment, and stops exhausted. Some hours pass without any motion, when suddenly 

 the skin splits on the back of the anterior segments and is rapidly shuflled off, 

 exposing the chrysalis, which rests secure on its girdle of silk. 



The latest broods of larv;^, or those wliich are caught by cold weather before 

 they have matured, hybernate more or less, and further south this may be the 

 hal)it. Twice I have carried half-grown larv* through the winter. Mr. Mead 

 found hybernating larva? inactive under boards, in the month of May, in Illinois. 



