269 



AN EXPEDITION IN SEAKCH OF EUSSIAN 

 BUTTERFLIES. 



By W. G. Sheldon, F.E.S. 



(Continued from p. 242.) 



The season at Sarepta was about a fortnight later than the 

 average, and this fact must be considered in connection with the 

 dates given below. 



I have to thank Mr. A. L. Rayward, who has most kindly 

 made preparations of the genitalia of all species, the identity of 

 which I was in doubt. 



The number of species of Rhopalocera we saw in the Crimea 

 was twenty-seven, at Novorossisk twenty-three, and at Sarepta 

 seventy-six ; and the total number in all three districts combined 

 was eighty-six species, as follows : — 



Papilio podalirius.—k rather small, weakly-marked race was not 

 uncommon at lalta and Novorossisk ; and one or two examples, 

 exceedingly worn, were seen at Sarepta during the first few days we 

 were there. 



P. machaon. — A few specimens were seen at all three localities, 

 but it was only common at the tops of the mountains at Novoros- 

 sisk ; I saw, but did not capture, an example of ab. cmrantiaca there. 



Parnassius mnemosyne. — This species swarmed at Sarepta, in the 

 " Tschapurnik Wald " on May 22nd, and later we found it almost 

 equally abundant in the valleys towards Tsaritsyn. The form is a 

 large one, with the black markings not so suffused, and bolder than 

 is the case in specimens from the Alps. They are very like some 

 I have from Herculesbad, except that the black spots are larger. 

 Both these localities are at low levels, Sarepta being actually below 

 sea-level, and Herculesbad only about 150 ft. above it. 



Aporia crataegi. — Generally distributed in woods, but not abun- 

 dant : the specimens are large and the veins very pronounced. The 

 females, when newly emerged, have the yellow shading on the under 

 side much stronger than in Central European examples. This species 

 was first noticed on May 22nd. 



Pieris brassicae. — Only seen at Sarepta ; a few examples amongst 

 gardens. 



P. rapae. — Common at lalta and Novorossisk. 



P. manni. — Specimens of a Pierid which I feel sure is this species 

 were taken at Sarepta. 



P. napi. — I saw a few examples only of this species at lalta and 

 Sarepta. The only one I brought home is a very ordinary female 

 from the first-named locality. In all probability our visit occurred 

 between the period of the first and second broods. 



Pontia daplidice. — Frequent at Novorissisk, and there was the 

 tail end of a brood flying at Sarepta at the time of our arrival. 

 These were var. hellidice of a very extreme form, with darker under 

 sides to the hind wings than is the case in Southern French speci- 

 mens, accounted for no doubt by the amount of cold the pupae had 



