THE TRIBE OF THE HAIR-STREAKS 249 



themselves and the situation in which they are laid have 

 never been described. 



The Olive Hair-streak 



Mitoura damon 



Very few butterflies have the distinction of showing a 

 clear case of protective resemblance to one kind of plant in 

 both the adult and the larval stages. This is the case, 

 however, with this Olive Hair-streak which is so intimately 

 associated with our common red cedar, that where one is 

 found the other is likely to occur, although both cater- 

 pillars and butterflies are seldom seen because they re- 

 semble the twigs of the cedar so closely. 



Along the Atlantic Coast this little butterfly occurs from 

 New Hampshire to Florida, and westward to a line drawn 

 from Dakota to Texas. The upper surface of the wings is 

 rather dark olive-brown and the under surface, so far as it 

 is exposed when the butterfly is resting, is of a greenish hue 

 that harmonizes with the green of the red cedar twigs. 

 There are also, on the under surface, some irregular hues 

 and dots of red, brown, and white which probably help in 

 rendering the insect inconspicuous when it is resting among 

 a cluster of twigs. 



The yearly history of this beautiful little butterfly 

 differs from that of most of its relatives. The species 

 winters in the chrysalis state, the first brood of butterflies 

 bursting forth early in May. These lay their eggs upon or 

 between the scales of the red cedar twigs, especially those 

 which bear flowers. About a week later the eggs hatch 

 into tiny caterpillars that feed upon the scale-like leaves. 



