BUTTERFLIES OF MONTANA. 



107. 



almost black. The ocelli are very small and without wings, but in some 

 examples there is a faint russet or yellowish tint about them, and perhaps 

 on the space between them. On the under side the rings are russet or 

 ochraceous on both wings, and there is a perceptible bronze reflection 

 on the underside of the hind wings, especially in the males. 



This form is said to occur from Illinois to the Rocky Mountains, and 

 is found abundantly in Montana. However, many specimens with the 

 broad buff band, as in typical alope are found also, see Fig. 85. Olympus 

 and nephele are now given as synonyms, so nephele occurs from New Eng- 

 land to the Rocky Mountains. Five varieties for this species are recog- 

 nized. 



Early Stages The egg is conical, marked by about eighteen verti- 

 cal ridges, lemon-yellow in color, hatching in from fourteen to twenty-eight 

 days. The mature larva is 1.25 inches long, cylindrical, robust, thickest 

 in the middle, with two sharp, conical, divergent tails; color yellow-green, 

 head vivid green, Chrysalis is a little more than half an inch long, cylin- 

 drical. The butterfly emerges in fourteen days. The larva feeds on 

 meadow-grass, and the butterfly is found mostly in the open fields or open 

 woods. 



Var. nephele Largest of the forms, with buff bands. Ariana is also 

 found in Montana. This is a decidedly dwarfed form, and one that is 

 quite dark. The ocelli are small and well defined. 



This species is abundant during July and August around Flathead 

 Lake. In searching for insects nephele skirts the roadside by the open 

 woods or undulates through the woods in graceful flight. It becomes so 

 abundant that catching it becomes tame. The specimens show great 

 variation; the species is recognized as being exceedingly variable. At 

 Missoula it is quite common; Brandegee has taken it at Gold Creek, and 

 Wiley at Miles City. Coubeaux has many specimens from Big Sandy. 

 Coues collected from boopis at Chief Mountain July 21, 1874, a single spe- 

 cimen. 



THE DARK WOOD NYMPH, Cercyonis sylvestris, var. charon. Edwards. 

 Fig. 84. 



Fig. 84. Carcyonis sylvestris, var. charon. 



