NYMPHALID^. 



287 



Tlie caterpillars are covered with fleshy spines and bristles. 

 The}^ feed upon the different species of violets, and are nocturnal 

 in their habits, hiding by day. Many of the species hibernate over 

 winter in the young larval state and resume feeding the next spring. 

 The chrysalides are slightly angular with rows of blunt tubercles on 

 the dorsal side. They are frequently light reddish brown or pink- 

 ish l)rown in color, and some are adorned witli spots of yellow and 

 dark brown. 



Argynuis idalia. Under side. 



Tlie number of species of this genus to be found in the western 

 portion of this country is very great, but none of tlie forms from the 

 far west are to ni}^ thinking the rival in beauty of our own richly 

 colored Argijnnis idalia. In the female the upper wings are red- 

 dish orange with heavy black margins and spots, and have a row 

 of cream colored spots extending along the outer margin. Tlie 

 lower wings are black Avith a purple tinge, except on the up[)er 

 portion, wliich is yellowish brown. Two rows of large cream col- 

 ored s})ots adorn the wings, while a row of narrow elongated spots 

 follow the fringe on the outer margin of both sets of wings. ]>e- 

 neath, the upper wings are a little lighter and more reddish, with 

 the black markings less distinct, while along the upper and outer 

 margin ai'e several silvery white spots enclosed in rings of black. 



