PHYCIODES II. 



Dimorphic form ^ESTIVA. (Figs. 18, 19.) 



Same size as the winter form, and often not to be distinguished from it by the 

 appearance of the upper side ; but many examples are very black, the fulvous 

 markings all reduced; on the other hand, some have the fulvous preponderating, 

 as in the lighter examples of the summer form of Tharos, which they then 

 greatly resemble ; on the under side, primaries difler in no important respect 

 from the winter form ; secondaries uniform light ochraceous, the reticulations 

 verv fine, brown or ferruginous, and disposed as in the summer Phaoii, the mar- 

 ginal cloud slight and narrow, the costal patch slight or wanting. In the female 

 the ground is varied in pale and darker yellow, the band pale, as are several of 

 the spots in the interstices near base ; all the lines heavy, ferruginous ; the mar- 

 ginal cloud extended toward the disk, the costal patch larger ; there is also a 

 distinct ferruginous patch on middle of the disk, as in one of the varieties of 

 summer lliaros. 



Vesta seems to be common in middle and southern Texas, and I have I'eceived 

 a long series of examples from Mr. Boll, showing all the variations observed by 

 him. There is no marked difference between individuals of the winter form. 

 The species flies in successive generations, from February to November, and there 

 must be at least five annual broods. The food-plant is at present unknown, as 

 are also the preparatory stages. 



