HOW TO KNOW THE BUTTERFLIES 



In reference to the orange-tips, Mr. Scudder states that 

 they are eminently butterflies of early spring, and what is re- 

 markable is that they are usually single-brooded, mature rap- 

 idly, and by the end of June at latest in temperate regions, or 

 earlier than that farther south, are already in the chrysalis, 

 from which they do not emerge till the following season. In 

 keeping with this their food is usually found to be those cru- 

 ciferous plants of a similar habit, that is, which fruit early in 

 the season, and then absolutely disappear from sight, dying 

 down to the ground. 



Nine species are found in the United States ; the two fol- 

 lowing are the only ones that occur in the East. 



The Falcate Orange-tip 

 Synchloe genutia (Syn'chlo-e ge-nu'ti-a) 

 Plate XV, Fir., i, 2 



In this species the apex of the fore wings is hooked, remind- 

 ing one of the hook-tip moths. In the males there is a large 

 apical orange-patch. 



Caterpillar. — Length, four-fifths inch ; head with papilla? 

 on top; body slender and downy ; color bluish green with a 

 lighter stripe down the back and along each side. When ex- 

 amined closely it may be seen that the body-color is made up 

 of fine stripes of various hues. 



Food-plants. — Rock-cress, bitter cress, shepherd's-purse, 

 Sisymbrium, and other Crucifera which are slender in form. 



This rare little butterfly taught the junior au- 

 thor the meaning of falcate, that word having es- 



82 



