340 



MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 



A butteifl}^ whicli looks as if it liad in part borrowed its shape 

 from Papilio turnus and its colors from our next species, Papilio 

 ajax, is Papilio eurymedon. This insect belongs to the western half 

 of the continent and is plentiful along the eastern base of the Sierra 

 Nevada in June and July. The caterpillar resembles that of Papilio 

 turnus. 



Papilio ajax. Early Spring Form. 



Having little similarity to, and therefore easily distinguished 

 from our other species of Papilio, is Papilio ajax. Like so many of 

 this tine family it is an exceedingly beautiful insect. Several varie- 

 ties of the butterfly are recognized by naturalists, each having its 

 own name, which were at one time supposed to be distinct species. 

 It has been discovered, however, by careful observation that all the 

 varieties may spring from the same set of eggs, those wliich emerge 

 from the chrysalides early being the smaller and lighter and having 

 short tails to the hindermost wings, those which hatch later being- 

 somewhat larger and darker, with longer tails, and those which are 

 developed from the eggs and larva? the same season being the larger, 

 with wide bands of black and having long tails. The accompanj'ing 

 fio-ures will give a clear idea of the differences between the varieties. 



