PIERIS. 



The wings of many species closely resemble in structure and colour those of some species of Euterpe, whilst others are 

 nearly allied to Anthoeharis. Pieris Cratajgi in many respects approaches the Parnassii, especially Par. Mnemosyne. 



As in Euterpe the structure of the subcostal nervure varies much, and will afford great assistance in dividing the 

 species into sections. 



The form of the anterior wings (lifters much in the sexes of some species, especially of the Indian group to which 

 Pieris Nero belongs ; in which the males have them triangular, very elongate, pointed ; the females rather short, 

 subtriangular, with the outer margin rounded, slightly sinuate about the middle. The posterior wings have the channel 

 for the abdomen more distinct than in Euterpe. 



The colour of the wings is as various as in any known genus of butterflies, and sometimes the two surfaces offer striking 

 contrasts. This is peculiarly the case with the Australian species. To the merely British or European collector the genus 

 Pieris is essentially connected with the idea of a white butterfly, with more or less of black at the apex of the anterior 

 wings, and more or less of yellow or green below. This is the constant colouring of the European species, as well as of those 

 of Asia and America north of the tropics. But as we reach the tropical parts of either continent we find a great change 

 in this respect, less however in the New than in the Old World. In Tropical America two or three species assume, on 

 the under surface of the males, and on both surfaces of the females, the markings of the Heliconidaj, and the males of 

 one or more species put on the yellow and black garb of the genus Colias : in the other species white is the predominant 

 colour, as it is on the upper surface of the males of those species which below resemble some of the Heliconida?. 



In the Indian continents and islands, and in Australia, we find the greatest variety of colour. One or two species 

 are more or less blue above; others of a bright red-lead colour; others black, with yellow and white markings; some 

 beautifully variegated with black and orange on a white ground. The under surface is generally darker and more 

 varied than the upper, especially in the males ; as for instance Pieris Nigrina and its allies, the males of which are 

 white above with the apex of the anterior wings black, but below are black varied with crimson and yellow and some 

 white clouds. The females have the upper surface much darker than the males ; a character by which the sex is 

 distinguished in nearly every group, the ground colour itself frequently varying, and all the black markings being- 

 larger and more distinct. 



The Larvae, as far as known, are cylindrical, rather slender, slightly attenuated at each extremity, more or less 

 pubescent, and striped longitudinally. They are particularly attached to the Oucifcra, but also feed on ResedaceK, 

 Tropreolea;, and Capparidcre. Those of our common European species do considerable damage to our gardens, devouring 

 our cabbages, turnips, nasturtiums, and mignonette, and abounding in some years so as to be a serious annoyance. In 

 the North of the United States, a nearly allied species, first described by Dr. T. W. Harris, in the New England Farmer, 

 under the name of Pieris oleracea, often proves equally injurious to the turnips, cabbages, and other garden Cruciferse. 

 Those of one European species, Pieris Cratasgi, rather rare and very local in England, resemble very much those of 

 some moths, especially some species of Trichiura and Clisiocampa ; they live upon the white-thorn and most garden 

 fruit-trees. With us they seem confined to the white-thorn ; but in France and Germany they sometimes commit great 

 ravages upon the plum, pear, and apple trees. Of the larvae of the tropical species we known scarcely anything. 

 Stoll has figured that of one species, which probably is not that of P. Lyncida of Cramer, to which he assigns it, but of 

 some South American species of similar form. This larva, in form, resembles those of the European species ; is of an 

 olive green, with pale longitudinal stripes; and would appear to be not only clothed with hair, but to have several rows 

 of short black spines along the back and sides. 



That of Pieris Mesentina, as represented in General Hardwicke's collection of drawings, is downy, of a pale green, 

 with a dark lateral stripe. It feeds on a species of Capparis. That of Pieris Belisama figured by Dr. Horsfield has 

 the head very small, and is furnished with long delicate hairs placed widely apart, as in the larva of Acronycta Ligustri. 



The larva of Pieris Monuste, or at least of that variety found in the southern parts of the United States, to which 

 Dr. Boisduval gave the name of Pieris Cleomes, is purplish, with longitudinal yellow stripes, the head and whole under 

 surface being yellow. It is found in the Southern States on Cleome pentaphylla, and may feed on other similar plants. 

 I have on one occasion found a larva much resembling it on the cauliflower, but this was in the state of New York 

 where I have not heard of the occurrence of the perfect insect. 



The Pup* are always more or less angular, the head distinctly pointed, the body not arched, the abdominal segments 

 tapering gradually to a point. Stoll's figure of the pupa which he refers to P. Lyncida represents the back as slightly 

 tuberculate, with two short, black, curved spine- ; the head terminating suddenly in a sharp point, with two black 

 spines immediately behind it. That of Pieris Mesentina has the head very pointed, and a short acute spine on the back. 

 The pupa of Pieris Belisama has several short curved dorsal spines pointing backward. 



March, 1847- N 



