PALE COLOUKING. 



667 



There are but few colours in the insect, but they are boldly 

 contrasted ; and it is a very handsome though small Moth. 

 The colour of the upper wings is glossy olive-green, darkening 

 into black towards the base. Just beyond the base of each 

 wing there is a broad curved bar of bright orange. The head 

 and antennae are of the same colour. The lower wings are also 

 dark olive-green, but with a favourable light a decided gloss of 

 blue is perceptible. 



Both names of the insect called Asthenia machaonaria are 

 very appropriate. The generic name is formed from a Greek 

 word signifying " weakness," and is given to the insect on account 



Fig. 402. — Asthenia machaonarfil, 

 (Satiny-white and pale brown.) 



of the pale and feeble hue of its colouring. The name machao- 

 naria is given to it in consequence of its resemblance to our 

 familiar Swallow-tail Butterfly, Papilio machaon. Perhaps the 

 title would have been still more appropriate if it had referred 

 to the Podalirius, in which the markings are paler than in 

 the Machaon, and arranged much like those of the present 

 insect. 



The ground colour of the wings is very pale, soft, greyish 

 white, with a satin-like gloss on the surface, and over them are 

 drawn several bars of very pale brown, arranged as shown in 

 the illustration. The edges of the wings are marked with a 

 very narrow band of darker brown, and the spots at the tips of 



