Genus Melitaea 



Early Stages. — The food-plants, according to Henry Edwards, 

 who described the caterpillar and chrysalis in the "Canadian 

 Entomologist," vol. v, p. 167, are Erodiiim cicutariiim, clover, 

 and violets. 



The habitat of this species is southern California. 



(12) Melitaea acastus, Edwards, Plate XVI, Fig. 11, 3 ; Fig. 

 \2, $, under side (Acastus). 



Butterfly. — With thinner and less robust wings than any of the 

 species of the genus hitherto mentioned. It is prevalently fulvous 

 upon the upper side, and on the under side of the hind wings 

 heavily and somewhat regularly banded with yellowish-white 

 spots, possessing some pearly luster. Expanse, 3, 1.50 inch; 

 ? , 1.60 inch. 



Early Stages. — Unknown. 



Common in Nevada, Utah, and Montana. 



(13) Melitaea palla, Boisduval, Plate XVI, Fig. \}, $, ; Fig. 

 14, 5 , tinder side (The Northern Checker-spot). 



Butterfly. — On the upper side resembling the preceding spe- 

 cies, but with the median band of spots on the hind wings paler. 

 On the under side the markings are different, as is shown in 

 the plate. Expanse, 5, 1.50 inch; ?, 1.75 inch. 



Early Stages. — The larva and chrysalis were described by 

 Henry Edwards, the actor naturalist, in the "Proceedings of the 

 California Academy of Sciences," vol. v, p. 167. The food-plant 

 is Castileja. 



The species ranges from California to Colorado, and north- 

 ward into British Columbia. 



(14) Melitaea whitneyi, Behr, Plate XVII, Fig. 7, $, ; Fig. 8, 

 $, , under side (Whitney's Checker-spot). 



Butterfly. — The markings are much as in M. palla, the spots 

 are lighter fulvous and larger than in that species, the yellow 

 bands on the under side are more prominent, and the marginal 

 spots have a silvery luster which is lacking in M. palla. The 

 female has the yellow of the under side more prominent than is 

 the case in the male sex. Expanse, 6 , 1.50 inch; ?, 1.70 inch. 



Early Stages. — Altogether unknown. 



Whitney's Checker-spot ranges from California into Nevada. 



(15) Melitaea hoffmanni, Behr, Piate XVII, Fig. 13, $, ; Fig. 

 14, $ , aberration (Hoffmann's Checker-spot). 



Butterfly, 5 . — General style of marking much as in the two 



143 



