BRENTHIS. 67 



Argynnis selene, Kirby, Eur. Butterflies and Moths, p. 18 (1878); 

 Lang, Butterflies Eur., p. 197, pi. 46, fig. 4 (1883); 

 Buckler, Larvae Brit. Butterflies and Moths, i., p. 73, 

 pi. n, fig. i (1886); Barrett, Lepid. Brit. Isl., i., p. 178, 

 pi. 26, figs, i, la-f (1892). 



Notwithstanding its trivial name of " Small " Pearl-bordered 

 Fritillary, this Butterfly is very nearly of the same size as the 

 last, which it much resembles in its habits and appearance, 

 though it is generally a week or two later on the wing. It is 

 at least as common an insect, and is also double-brooded, the 

 second brood, though common on the Continent, being less 

 frequently noticed in England. 



Small Pearl -bordered Fritillary (Argynnis selene). Under side. 



The markings of the upper surface of the wings closely 

 resemble those of B. euphrosyne, though the spots towards 

 the base have less tendency to form streaks and lines. The 

 under surface of the hind-wings has a marginal row of silvery 

 spots, followed by a purplish-red band with a large yellow spot 

 in the middle ; and next to this is an irregular band of silvery 

 and yellow spots. Between this band and a basal row of 

 silvery spots is another reddish band. The larva is black, with 

 reddish-yellow spines, and brownish-red legs. It feeds on 

 dog-violet, as is the case with other Fritillaries. Very curious 

 aberrations of this species are occasionally met with, of one of 

 which we have given a woodcut on the next page. 



