18 THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE 



Limenitis Disippus presents on the ridges of the cells 

 numerous little filaments, giving the 

 egg a bristly appearance (see Fig. 

 60). In all these there is a cluster 

 of irregular cells at the summit or 

 apex that differ from the others, 

 often being situated at the bottom of 

 a cavity or depression. This portion 

 of Co- of the egg is known as the micropyle. 

 ib. Phiiodice. x BO. Butterflies vary in their manner of 



depositing their eggs. Some place them singly on the 

 leaves of their food-plant, while others lay them in 

 clusters, from a dozen to a hundred in a cluster. In the 

 case of Vanessa Aniiopa, Fig. 54, they are placed around 

 a small twig of willow. The Papilios, with the ex- 

 ception of P. Philenor, deposit their eggs singly. The 

 Graptas lay their eggs in strings or singly. Usually the 

 manner of depositing the eggs may be taken as an index 

 of the larva's being gregarious or feeding singly. 



The time of the egg period, or the time from deposi- 

 tion to hatching, varies in different species, depending 

 somewhat upon the temperature. In some species they 

 hatch in from three to four days, as in Grapta, Colias, 

 and Pieris. The Papilios and Danais Archippus hatch 

 in from four to six days ; Phyciodes Tharos, in from four 

 to seven days ; P. Nyctcis, in twelve ; Limenitis Disippus, 

 in from five to eight ; Argynnis Diana, in fifteen ; A. 

 Oybele, Aphrodite, Alcestis, and Atlantis, in from fifteen 

 to twenty, etc. ; while, according to Mr. S. H. Scudder, 

 there are some species that pass the winter in the egg 

 state. 



