INSECTS INJURING OAK-LEAVES. 



129 



Fig. 40. — Larva of Basilarchia archippus {Limenitis disippus). Emerton del. 



173. The live oak thecla. 



Thecla favoniua Abbot and Smith. 



The green, sing-like caterpillars of this beautiful butterfly were ob 

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

 days afterwards at Crescent City, and agaiu 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- 

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

 specimens having been placed in a small pocket tin box. After my re- 

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

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

 and Smith to feed on Quercus rubra and other oaks. 



Larva, — Closely resembling in general appearance that of Theda calanus. Body 

 straw-yellowiali green, with tine yellowish papillse and den.se, short hairs. Head pale 

 horn color, small and narrow. Length, 17'""'. 



Pupa. — Of the same size and shape as tliat of Thecla calanus, the hirsutiesthe same, 

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

 black. It dift'ers from T. calanus in the distinct lateral row of black dots. Length, 

 10""". 



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

 a blackish sex-mark below the costa; a tawuy 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 ou the inner 

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

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



5 ENT 9 



