Checkered Skipper Milkweed 



white line. This white line is wanting in the Large 

 Skipper, The dark streak is only on the upper wings 

 of the males. Comma is also a more local and scarce 

 insect, being confined mostly to the South of England. 



The caterpillar is greyish-red, and has a double dark 

 line on either side ; it feeds on various Vetches and 

 Trefoils. The butterfly is out in July and August. 



THE CHECKERED SKIPPER (Carterocephalus Paltemon), 

 Plate XIII., Fig. 1 3. The upper side of this butterfly is 

 speckled and bordered with tawny-orange spots on a dark 

 brown ground. The under side has a lighter ground 

 colour, and the spots are outlined with dark brown. 



The caterpillar is dark, almost black, with a yellow 

 line on the sides, and, as it hibernates over the winter, 

 may be looked for in the spring. It feeds on grasses 

 and Plantain. 



This is a very local species, and I am afraid, to judge 

 from reports, becoming rarer. The south and south- 

 eastern counties are the favoured localities. 



THE MILKWEED BUTTERFLY (Danais Erippus ; 

 variety, Archippus), Plate VIII., Fig. 3. This is an 

 American species, but an occasional visitor to our 

 shores, and, as it is a strong-flying species with the 

 bump of adventure abnormally developed, it is now 

 met with in many lands where it was at one time 

 unknown. I have large fine specimens from Canada, 

 so it can stand the rigours of the Canadian winter ; and 

 if it should find a suitable food-plant for the caterpillars 

 here, we may hope, in the near future, to add this fine 

 butterfly to the select little band of British butterflies. 

 8? 



