58 European Butterflies and Moths, 



GENUS V. — ZEniYRUS (DAI.M.). 



The species of tliis genus are not very numerous, and are confined to Europe, Asia, and 

 California. Tliey agree witli the true TIiccIce in their generally hairy ej^es, the short tail towards 

 the anal angle of the hind-wings, and the pale lines of the under surface, which has given rise to 

 their English name of " Hair-Streaks." The larvae of both genera have an arched back, and are 

 smoother and narrower behind. The Zcpliyri differ from Tliccla in their rather thick antennae, 

 with a very gradually-formed club ; and more especially in the neuration of the fore-wings, which 

 have eleven nervures, the subcostal nervure emitting two branches before the extremity of the 

 discoidal cell, and a third beyond, which is bifurcated. The European species of Zcphyrus are 

 rather larger than those of Thccla. 



*i. Z. Bctithe (Linn.), [Broivn Hair-Streak). — Male dark brown; fore-wings with a black 

 discoidal spot, having a pale mark on the outside ; hind-wings with the tail and anal angle orange ; 

 fringes white. Female similar, with a broad transverse orange band upon the fore-wings. Under 

 side dull orange, with a deeper-coloured marginal line ; fore-wings with one, and hind-wings with 

 two, distinct white lines, edged on one side with blackish, and a black streak edged with white at 

 the end of the cell of the fore -wings. Expands from \\ to if inches. It is found flying along 

 hedges and about bushes from July to September, and is common throughout the greater part of 

 Central Europe and Northern Asia. It is a local rather than a rare insect in the south of England 

 and Ireland. The larva is green, with yellow longitudinal lines and oblique streaks on the 

 back and sides ; the head is brown. It feeds on birch, sloe, plum, &c. Both surfaces of the 

 female butterfly are figured at PI. 15, Fig. 5, a, b. 



* 2. Z. Querciis (Linn.), [Pitrple Hair-Streak). — The male is purplish-blue, with black hind 

 margins, and the female is brown, with a rich purple blotch on the fore-wings, reaching half across 

 the wing in front and nearly to the hinder angle behind. The under side is silvery-grey, with a 

 white line towards the hind margin, and with indistinct white marginal lunules. There are also 

 some orange markings, adjoining or enclosing black spots, towards the hinder angles of all 

 the wings. The Hungarian variety Belhis (Gerh.) has a yellow spot on the upper side of the fore- 

 wings. Expands from i-^ to \\ inches. Common throughout Europe, except the extreme north 

 and south ; it also occurs in Asia Minor. It is found in oak-woods from June to August, but is not 

 very ditTicult to capture, as it generally flies round bushes and low trees within reach of the net. 

 The larva is reddish-grey, with triangular yellowish spots on the back, and a yellowish stripe on 

 the sides; the head is brown. It feeds on oak, and occasionally on sallow, in May and June. 

 The female butterfly is figured at PI. 15, Fig. 6. 



GENUS VI. — THECLA (fABR.). 



The species of Thccla are rather smaller than those of Zcphyrus, and the wings are brown 

 above and generally marked with a very distinct white line beneath ; the hind-wings are nearly 

 always tailed. The club of the antennae is more suddenly formed than in Zepliyrns, and the fore- 

 wings have only ten nervures, the subcostal nervure emitting three unforked branches before the 

 extremity of the discoidal cell, and none afterwards. This genus is exceedingly extensive, between 

 500 and 600 species being described as belonging to it ; but there can be no doubt that it requires 

 subdivision. The vast majority of the species are South American, and most of the North 

 American species resemble the European. The genus is not represented in Africa, except on the 

 Mediterranean coast. The true type of Tliccla is the European T. Spini. 



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