ATTACKING THE LEAVES. 219 



No. 117.— The Cherry-tree Thecla. 



Thecla titiis Fabr. 



Thi.s is a very pretty little butterfly, better known as 

 TJiecla mopsus. (See Fig. 224.) It is of a dark-brown 

 color above, with a row of seven or 

 eight orange-colored spots near the 

 margin of the hind wings, which 

 are larger and more conspicuous on 

 the under than on the upper side. 

 The wings beneath are light brown, 

 with a row of deep but bright 

 orange spots near the hind margins 

 of both pairs, an inner and more irregular row of small black 

 spots, encircled with white, and on the middle of the hind 

 wings two similar spots, placed close together. In flight it is 

 active, but its movements are of a jerky nature. The wings 

 measure, when expanded, an inch and a quarter or more 

 across. 



The caterpillar, which is found feeding on cherry leaves 

 during the month of May, is a curious flat creature, re- 

 sembling a wood-louse in outline, of a dull-green color, ])er- 

 vaded by a yellowish tint. There is a patch of rose color on 

 the anterior segments, and another larger one on the hinder 

 extremity. 



The chrysalis is pale brown and glossy, with many small 

 dark-brown or blackish dots distributed over the whole 

 surface, and thickly covered with very short brown hairs, 

 scarcely visible without a magnifying-lens. The butterfly 

 appears about the middle of July, and is very partial to the 

 flowers of the " butterfly- weed," Asclepias tuberosa, as well as 

 to those of the common milkweed, Asclepias cornuti. 



This insect is never found in sufficient abundance to be 

 injurious, but whenever met with it excites the curiosity of the 

 observer. 



