THE TRIBE OF THE ANGLE-WINGS 161 



It lacks the winged seeds of the latter it is even more 

 effectually protected from the attacks of vertebrate 

 enemies on account of its irritating hairs. At any rate, 

 nettles of various kind are widely distributed over the 

 earth's surface, and consequently it is not surprising that 

 the Nettle Butterfly or Red Admiral should be almost as 

 cosmopolitan as the Thistle butterfly. The two species 

 are closely related in structure and habits and the life-his- 

 tory of the one is very similar to that of the other. 



About the middle of May one may see in open fields and 

 along sunny highways these Red Admirals flitting from 

 flower to flower, or stopping occasionally upon green 

 leaves in search of opportunities to lay their eggs. Should 

 you observe them closely you might notice that some of 

 them seemed frayed and worn while others seemed per- 

 fectly bright and fresh. 



The Life-story 



Late in May and early in June these butterflies deposit 

 their eggs upon the leaves of the nettles. As a rule only 

 one or a few eggs are laid on a leaf, but when the butter- 

 flies are abundant many leaves upon the plant may be- 

 come infested. About a week later the egg hatches into 

 a larva, which is likely to eat more or less of the empty 

 shell before crawling up the stem of the plant to the un- 

 folding buds at the top. Here it makes its first nest by 

 webbing together the still closed upper surface of a leaf 

 not yet unfolded. It is thus able to furnish itself with 

 protection from weather and enemies, as well as an abund- 

 ant supply of succulent food. It remains in this first 

 home about a week, then it casts its skin, still within its 

 protection, and stays until it has recovered after the 



