THE TRIBE OF THE FRITILLARIES 121 



Like the other Argynnids, the Regal Fritillary is single- 

 brooded during the year and it has a rather remarkable 

 longevity in each stage of its life. The newly hatched 

 caterpillars go into hibernation and live through the 

 winter without feeding, finding shelter at the surface of 

 the ground, especially beneath the leaves of violets which 

 form their chosen food plants. When the snow has dis- 

 appeared and the warmth of the spring sun brings them 

 out of their winter lethargy these tiny caterpillars feed 

 upon the violet leaves and grow slowly for several weeks. 

 They then change to chrysaiids, the time for doing this 

 varying considerably with the individual and doubtless 

 with the warmth of the situation in which each is living. 

 The length of time spent in the chrysalis varies also, but 

 in general it seems to be less for those which develop into 

 male butterflies than for the females. It is a curious fact 

 that the former may be found for nearly two weeks before 

 any of the latter appear. 



The first butterflies of this species are usually disclosed 

 from the chrysalis late in June or early in July. They 

 continue to come forth for several weeks, apparently 

 until nearly the middle of August. They lead a leisurely 

 life, visiting freely the flowers of goldenrod, iron-weed, 

 boneset, Joe Pye weed, and especially swamp milkweed. 

 They are most likely to be found in lowlands and along 

 the borders of swamps where these favorite flowers are 

 growing. It evidently requires some time for the eggs 

 to develop within the ovaries, for the butterfly cannot be- 

 gin laying these until the latter part of August. They 

 apparently are normally deposited on the under side of 

 violet leaves, although so far as I know no butterfly has 

 been seen thus laying her eggs. It would be an interest- 



