ARGYNNIS. 



61 



This is a very variable insect, and there are several well- 

 marked Continental forms which are considered to belong to 

 this species, but they are very different from the British insect. 

 One of these is A. chhrodippe, Herr.-Schaff., which is green on 

 the under surface of the hind-wings, with bright silvery spots ; 



Under side of the variety A. cleodoxa. 



and another is A. cleodoxa (Esper), in which the pale spots 

 are yellow, not silvery. The latter has occasionally been taken 

 in England. 



The larva is reddish, becoming olive-green as it grows older, 

 with a white dorsal line, and blackish streaks or spots ; it is 

 very spiny, and the spines are lighter than the ground-colour. 

 It feeds on sweet violet and wild heartsease in early summer. 



THE NIOBE FRITILLARY. ARGYNNIS NIOCE. 



{Plate XIV., Figs. I, 2.) 



rapilio niobe, Linn., Syst. Nat. (ed. x.), i., p. 48, no. 143 

 (175S) ; id., Faun. Succ. (ed. ii.), pi. 2S2, no. 1067 (1761) ; 

 Esper, Schmett, i. (1), p. 247, pi. iS, fig. 4; 1.(2), p. 124 

 pi. 75, fig. 3(1777)- 



