175 



THE PURPLE HAIR-STREAK BUTTERFLY. 



Papilio Quercus. 

 PLATE XXXVI. 



Papilio Quercus, Gmelin's Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 2341 



Donovan's Brit. Ins. pi. 460. Hesperia Quercus, Fabri- 

 citts, Sp. Hist. ii. p. 118, No. 527. 



THE wings are of a deep bistre brown, the upper 

 ones having a large triangular patch of bright blue 

 towards their junction with the body ; the posterior 

 margins of both wings are of a pale fawn colour, and 

 fringed ; the lower wings have small caudate wings ; 

 the under surface is of an ash colour, with three 

 macular bands, and an eye-like spot of rich green 

 near the lower angle of the under wings ; the body 

 is bright yellow beneath. 



The female has no patch of blue on her upper 

 wings, and differs, in the colour being more inclined 

 to purple, than it is in the male. 



The larva is very fat, of a beautiful rosy colour, 

 with a yellow stripe along its sides, and in the middle 

 of each aunulation is a minute round dot of green ; 

 the lower surface is also yellow. It feeds on the oak, 

 and is to be found in the caterpillar state in June. 

 The chrysalis is glossy, of a ferruginous colour, with 

 three dorsal lines of brown dots ; it changes to the 

 perfect butterfly condition in July. 



