Genus Grapta 



which are mimicked by other species among the butterflies and 

 moths of the region which they frequent. A naturalist familiar 

 with the characteristics of the butterfly fauna of South America 

 can at a glance determine whether a collection placed before him 

 is from that country or not, merely by his knowledge of the 

 peculiar coloration which is characteristic of the lepidoptera of 

 the region. The most brilliant butterflies of the neotropical 

 fauna are the Morphos, glorious insects, the under side of their 

 wings marked with eye-like spots, the upper side resplendent in 

 varying tints of iridescent blue. 



In the Nearctic Region there is a remarkable development of 

 the genera Argyunis, Melitxa, and Phyciodes. There are also a 

 great many species of the Satyrince and of the Hesperiidce, or 

 "skippers." The genus Colias is also well represented. The 

 Nearctic Region extends southwardly into northern Mexico, at 

 high elevations, and is even continued along the chain of the 

 Andes, and there are species which are found in the vicinity of 

 San Francisco which occur in Chili and Patagonia. In fact, when 

 we get to the southern extremity both of Africa and of South 

 America we find certain genera characteristic of the north tem- 

 perate zone, or closely allied to them, well represented. 



Genus GRAPTA, Kirby 

 (The Angle-Wings) 



Butterfly.— Uedium-sized or small, characterized by the more 

 or less deeply excavated inner and outer margins of the fore wings, 

 the tail-like projection of the hind wings at the ex- 

 tremity of the third median nervule, the closed cell 

 of the same wings, and the thick squamation of 

 the palpi on the under side, while on the sides 

 and tops of the palpi there are but few scales. 

 They are tawny on the upper side, spotted and 

 bordered with black; on the under side mimick- 

 ing the bark of trees and dead leaves, often with 

 a (f-shaped silvery spot on the hind wings. The 

 insects hibernate in the butterfly form in hollow 



trees and other hiding-places. . F'^- 95-— Neura- 



r- -p, j^ 1, 1 , , tion of the genus 



^.^^•— The eggs are taller than broad, taper- Grapta. 



163 



