THE ENTOMOLOaiST 



Vol. XXIX.] 



MARCH, 1896. 



[No. 394. 



VARIETIES OF VANESSA VRTICM. 



The fine aberrations of V. urticce represented by the above 

 figures have been kindly lent to me by Mr. Bright, expressly for 

 figuring in the ' Entomologist.' 



In both specimens the primaries bear a close resemblance, 

 both having the second and third black costal blotches almost 

 confluent, the hind-marginal area blurred, and the usual blue 

 markings diminished and greyed ; the usual yellow marking 

 separating the first and second costal blotches is replaced by the 

 tawny- orange ground colour in the male ; the same marking in 

 the female is also deeper than usual ; the male has but one 

 small discal spot. The secondaries in this specimen have a 

 sufi^usion of dark scales obliterating the usual yellow costal 

 blotch, giving the wings a dullened appearance ; the secondaries 

 of the female are wholly blackish, with the merest indication of 

 an orange band, by having that portion of the wing very slightly 

 paler. The blue markings of normal specimens are in this 

 aberration only represented by a single patch of bluish scales at 

 the anal angle. The under surface of both specimens varies 

 much in accordance with the upper surfaces, as will be seen by 

 the figures. 



Mr. Bright informs me that the specimens were obtained 

 from the neighbourhood of Darlington. 



F. W. Frohawk. 



ENTOM. MARCH, 1896. G 



