54 European Butterflies and Moths. 



GENUS 11. — I.VC/ENA (FABk.). 



Upper side in the males brilliant orange or coppery red, often shot with purple, or brown ; 

 the females vary from copper-colour to dark brown, with a copper band on the hind margins 

 bordered witli black spots. The females (and in some cases the males) are usually marked with 

 black spots on the fore-wings, and sometimes on the hind-wings also, corresponding in situation to 

 the eyes of the under side. The under side of the fore-wings is coppery, and that of the hind- 

 wings is gencrall)- brownish-ash}-, with black eyes placed in white rings. There are three eyes, 

 placed in a straight line between the base and the extremity of tlie discoidal cell ; beyond this is a 

 row of eyes, which are often arranged in pairs, and a single or double row of marginal spots. 

 Hind-wings with eyes at the base and two or three in the middle, beyond which is a row of eyes 

 and a double row of marginal black spots, between which is a coppery band. Fringes white at 

 the extremit)-, and unspotted. The hind-wings are slightly dentated, and are sometimes furnished 

 with a short tail. The eyes are naked, and the palpi are rather long ; the antennas are long, and 

 terminated by an abrupt fusiform club. The neuration of the wings is the same as that of 

 Polyommatus. The larva; are elongated, and are covered with short, fine, reddish hair. They feed 

 on various low plants, especially dock and sorrel {Rinncx), and conceal themselves during the day ; 

 and many of the species form their pupa; on the surface of the ground. The species of this genus 

 are generally called " Coppers " by collectors, on account of their brilliant colour. There are 

 several allied genera found in different parts of the world, but the genus Lycania is the most 

 brilliant of all the group ; and the European species are fully equal to any others, though the 

 genus is well represented, without being very numerous in species, in most parts of the world. 



1. Z. Hcllc (W. v.). — Fore-wings coppery, with black spots ; hind-wings black, with a coppery 

 submarginal band. The upper side is shot with blue in the male, and the spots are partly 

 bordered with blue in the female. Under side of the fore-wings coppery, with an additional basal 

 eye above the inner margin ; hind-wings beneath brownish. Expands i inch or under. Widely 

 distributed in Northern and Central Europe (absent in the north-west), and in Western and 

 Northern Asia. It is found from May to August in swampy meadows ; in the more southern 

 parts of its range it is a mountain insect, but though often abundant it is very local. The larva is 

 green, yellowish above, with a dark green line on the back and a pale stripe on the sides ; head 

 reddish-yellow. It feeds on sorrel and Polygouiiin bistorta from June to September. 



2. L. Dorilis (Hufn.), Circe (W. V.). — Male dark brown, spotted with black, and with a 

 marginal row of black spots bordered within by connected orange lunules ; female with the fore- 

 wings copper, and the hind-wings dark brown, both spotted with black. Hind-wings with a 

 submarginal copper band, bordered outside with black spots. Under side greenish-yellow (fore- 

 wings coppery in the female) spotted with black, and with a pale orange marginal band (except 

 in the variety Subalpina, Spey.). The hind-wings are emarginate before the anal angle. Common 

 throughout the fine season in Central and Southern Europe (except Britain and the extreme 

 south of Europe), and in Western Asia and the Altai; frequenting meadows, especially at the 

 edges of woods. The larva is uniform pale green, dotted with white, and covered with pale red, 

 or brownish-yellow bristles. It feeds on Riitncx acetosa, and there is a succession of broods 

 throughout the year. {L. Hypoxanthe is probably not distinct from this.) 



3. L. Thersainon (Esp.).— Male coppery, with a slight bluish lustre, and spotted with black; 

 the female more distinctly spotted, and with the hind-wings brown above, with a marginal copper 

 band. Under side of fore-wings yellowish-copper, with the eyes arranged in pairs, and a double 

 row of black spots before the hind margin ; hind-wings beneath slate-colour, with a marginal 



