21 



when the two broods of the season respectively emerge. It flies every- 

 where, but especially abounds about clumps of willows, on the trunks of 

 which it delights to rest and enjoy the sunshine, and when disturbed flits 

 away but a short distance and soon returns to the same or an adjacent 

 tree. According to Harris, atalanta was probably introduced with its 

 food plant, the common nettle, into this country from Europe, where it is 

 also abundant, and known as the Red Admiral Butterfly. 



41. (223.) PYRAMEIS HUNTERA, Fab. Hunter's Butterfly. The 



Painted Beauty. 



Cynthia huntera, Harris, Ins. Inj., 1862, 292, fig. 119. 

 Pyrameis huntera, Morris, Lep. JN". A. , 1862, 60. 



French, Sev. Rep. St. Euto. 111., 1878, 153. 

 Id., But. E. U. S., 1886, 198. 

 Mead, Rep. Wheeler Exp. , V. 1875, 769. 

 Blatchley, Ind. Farmer, 1887, April 23. 

 Vanessa huntera, Scudder/But, E. U. S. and Can., 1889, I, 457; 



III, pis. 2, 12, 20. 74, 83. 



Much less common than the preceding, but found throughout the State. 

 The larvae feed upon everlasting (Gnaphalium polycephalum) , and the 

 various species of Artemisia. The butterfly is most often met with in 

 August and September, in fields containing golden rods and wild asters. 

 There are two broods each season ; the butterflies and occasionally the 

 chrysalids of the autumn brood hibernating. 



42. (224 ) PYRAMEIS CARDUI, Linn. Thistle Butterfly. The Painted 



Lady. 



Cynthia cardui, Harris, Ins. Inj. 1862, 291, fig. 118. 

 Pyrameis cardui, Morris, Lep. N. A., 1862, 59. 



Mead, Rep. Wheeler Exp., V. 1875, 770. 

 French, Sev. Rep. St. Ento. 111., 1878, 154. 

 Id., But E. U. S., 1886, 199. 

 Blatchley, Ind. Farmer, 1887, April 23. 

 Vanessa cardui, Wood, Ins. at Home, 1873, 401, pi. 13. 



Scudder, But, E. U. S. and Can., 1889, I, 469; 



1U, pis. 2, 12, 21, 64, 74, 83. 



The Thistle Butterfly is a rather common species from mid- June until 

 after heavy frosts. During the summer months it is usually found in 

 open pastures where there are thistle patches, but on sunny days in 

 autumn it is often seen in orchards sipping the juices from a bruised or 

 rotten apple. In England, where it is common, it is known as the 

 "Painted Lady," on account of the variety and beauty of its colors. 

 The larvae feed upon thistles, burdock and wild sunflowers, and are there- 

 fore more beneficial than otherwise. It passes the winter as imago, and 

 in Vigo County has been taken on the wing as early as April 10. 



