BUTTERFLIES 235 



Larva Yellowish green ; back double-ridged ; pale side lines ; sometimes 

 tinged with pink. 



Pupa Light brown, blotched with darker angular marks. 



Eggs Like above, but deeper indentation at top. May and August. 



Locality Common, but uncertain, in South ; more local in Midlands and 

 North. 



56. Small, or Little, Blue (Zizera minima] sometimes called " BEDFORD 

 BLUE." Male and female dusky brown upper side ; grey- white under side, 

 with black spots. 



Food plant Buds and flowers of kidney- vetch. 



Larva Brown, sometimes shaded with pink ; darker lines. 



Pupa Greyish, marked three rows of black dashes. 



Eggs Light green, like Icarus. May to June (sometimes also August). 



Locality Widely distributed, but not common everywhere. 



57. Mazarine Blue (Nomiades semiargus). Male, purplish blue ; female, 

 dark brown, top side ; under side light fawn, shading off to grey-blue ; clusters 

 of eye spots. 



Food plant Thrift, kidney- vetch. 



Larva Yellowish green, with dark lines. 



Pupa Olive-green, darkening ; held by tail and girdle to food plant. 



Eggs Said to be white and round. July to August. 



Locality Rare, if not extinct, in Britain. 



58. Large Blue (Nomiades arion). Deep blue, with black border and black 

 spots on upper wing ; under side grey-fawn, with eye spots and other markings. 



Food plant Buds of wild thyme. 



Larva Downy ; closely imitating the buds of the food plant ; pupates in 

 the ground. 



Pupa Yellowish, gradually darkening. 



Eggs Whity blue, with all the characteristics of the " Blues." 



Locality Very rare ; the Cotswolds. 



The larva is said to descend into an ants' nest, and to be fed by ants 

 during its last stage. 



Family : Lemoniidce, or Erycinidce. Genus : Nemeobiina. 



59. Duke of Burgundy Fritillary (Nemeobius lucina). Male has only four 

 legs adapted for walking ; female, six. Chequered on upper surface with tawny 

 and dark brown and black. 



Food plant Primrose, cowslip. 



Larva Wood-louse shaped ; reddish brown, with tufts. 

 Pupa Greyish, hairy, with black dots and streaks; suspended head 

 upwards on food plant. 



Eggs Glassy ; transparent. June to August. 

 Locality Woodlands, chiefly in South. 



