THE NYMPHS 



are large and bushy, the last segment extremely short. The 

 color of the wings is fulvous bordered and checkered with 

 black ; but not so heavily bordered as in the crescent spots. 

 The lower surface of the hind wings is often marked with 

 curving rows of silvery spots. This is a large group contain- 

 ing many species, which are extremely difficult to separate. 



Fig. 31. — Fore wing of Agraulis 

 vanillic. 



Fig. 32. — Fore wing of Argynnis 

 cybcle. 



More than fifty species occur in America north of Mexico. 

 The larvse feed upon the leaves of violets. 



The more common species, which are described below, can 

 be separated by the following table : 



A. Vein R„ of the fore wings arising beyond the apex of 

 cell R + M (Fig. 31). 



B. Fore wings with the apex produced, making the outer 

 margin concave (Fig. 33). 



C. Lower side of wings marked with silvery spots. (A. 

 vanilla), p. 107. The Gulf Fritillary. 



CC. Lower side of wings without silvery spots. (E. 

 claudia), p. 109. The Variegated Fritillary. 



105 



