INSECTS INJURING OAK-LEAVES. 



129 



Fig. 40.— Larva of Basilarchia archippus (Limenitis disippiis). Emerton del. 



173. The live oak thecla. 



Thecla favon'nis Abbot aud Smith. 



The greeu, slug-like caterpillars of this beautiful butterfly were ob 

 served on the live oak at Enterprise, Fla., April 7 and 8, also a few 

 days afterwards at Crescent City, and again on the scrub live oaks on 

 Anastasia Island, St. Augustine. They pupated April 13, 14; the 

 chrysalis in general appearance closely resembling that of Thecla cala- 

 mis, found about Providence. They breed easily in confinement, my 

 specimens having been placed in a small i)0ckettin box. After my re- 

 turn to Providence the butterflies emerged from April 30 to May 2. It 

 is the most common species in the Southern States, and is said by Abbot 

 aud Smith to feed on Quercus rubra aud other oaks. 



Larva. — Closely resembling in general appearance that of Thecla calanus. Boily 

 straw-yellowish green, with tine yellowish papillte and dense, short hairs. Head pale 

 horn color, small aud narrow. Length, 17™"\ 



Pupa. — Of the same size and shape as that of Thecla calanus, the hirsntiesthe same, 

 though not quite so coarse. In color rather pale horn, not so much mottled with 

 black. It differs from T. calanus in the distinct lateral row of black dots. Length, 

 10""". 



Imago. — Wings of the usual form and color in the genus. Fore wings of male with 

 a blackish sex-mark below the costa; a tawny patch in the first and a larger, more 

 distinct one in the second median cell. Hind wings with a large deep orange patch 

 near the inner angle, with a minute one on each side; orange spots on the inner 

 angle. "The points of the W formed by the inner line on the under side of the hind 

 wings touching the outer line." (French.) Expanse of wings, 23""". 



5 ENT 9 



