MELI1VEA AURINIA. 93 



In early June the eggs are laid on the lower leaves of 

 the Devil's-bit Scabious (Scabiosa sucrisa) usually, but at 

 times on the Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis)^ Narrow- 

 leaved Plantain (Plantago lanceolatd), and Foxglove 

 (Digitalis purpurea), while the larvae will feed in confine- 

 ment on the Honeysuckle. The eggs are hatched in about 

 a fortnight, and the larvae, when about half-grown, retire 

 and hibernate during the winter. They are full-fed about 

 the end of April or beginning of May. After spending 

 about a fortnight as chrysalides, the perfect insects 

 emerge during May, and remain on the wing that month 

 and the next. 



This local butterfly is probably to be found in most 

 counties in England and Wales, and in some places in 

 Scotland ; but its presence is regulated by the supply 

 of its commonest food-plant, the Devil's-bit Scabious, and 

 the damp spots which it and its food-plant both affect. 



The larva (Fig. 86) is about lin. or i*in. long, and has 

 the segments distinct. The colour is black, except on 

 the ventral surface, which is very dark brown, the claspers 

 are lighter, the legs are black, and so is the head, the 

 latter being shiny and covered with black hairs. The 

 body, which is covered with short hairs, is sprinkled with 

 white dots, arranged roughly in three lines : one dorsal 

 and two spiracular, the latter being the clearer. The short, 

 hairy spines are as many as eleven on the middle segments, 

 but less at the two extremities. 



The chrysalis (Fig. 87) is short and stout, with a 

 broad head. The back is much curved, and the anal 

 extremity bent forward as in illustration. The colour is 

 white, changing to orange as the time for emergence 

 approaches. The wing-cases, which are slightly produced 

 in front, are marked with black, and there are black mark- 

 ings on the leg and antennae cases, head, and dorsal 



