NYMPHALID^. 241 



secure four perfect insects. The parasite is undoubtedly the most 

 serious obstacle to the successful rearing- of butterflies, and one must 

 be constantl}^ on the watch or his labors may count for naught. 



IJuieiiitis (li^ipims. Female. 



This Lhnenitis is the most common species of the genus in the 

 east, and may be seen in June about willows or poplars, on which the 

 larvpe feed. Although most of the last brood of larvte hibei'uate over 

 winter in their silk lined tubes, or cases, at the ends of the twigs, a 

 good mau}^ complete their transfoi'iuations in the late summer and 

 fall of the 3'ear, and the jjerfect insects may be taken in September. 

 The tiny green eggs, covered with a network pattern, are deposited 

 singly by the female near tlie tips of the leaves. The 3'oung larvse 

 are almost black, but when nearly full grown assume almost the exact 

 shape and color of Limenitis nrsiila. The chrysalis is also very simi- 

 lar to that species. The butterfly is not wary nor a rapid fl3^er, and 

 may be easily taken. It usually frequents the edges of lines of 

 bushes along rivers and brooks, and sometimes alights in the roads 

 with other species of butterflies. This insect inhabits the whole of 

 the United States. 



Another butterfl\-, much resendjling the preceding in shape and 

 markings, but of a maliogany color in place of the reddish orange of 

 the other species, is Limenitis eros. The black borders of the wings 



