FAMILY VII 



THE MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES 



Family Lymnadidae (Lym-nad'i-da?) 



These are butterflies of large size, with rounded and some- 

 what elongated wings, the apical portion of the fore wings 

 being much produced. The apparent absence of scales on 

 the antenna; is the most available character for distinguishing 

 these insects. Only three species occur in our fauna ; and 

 one of these does not extend north of Florida. 



The Monarch 



Anosia plexippus (A-no'si-a plex-ip'pus) 



Plate XXXII, Fig. 3, male; Plate XXVIII, Fig. 1, female; Plate I, 

 tra nsforma tions 



The upper surface of the wings is light tawny brown, with 

 the borders and veins black, and with two rows of white spots 

 on the costal and outer borders. In the male the veins of the 

 wings are more narrowly margined with black, and there is a 

 black pouch next to vein Cu„ of the hind wings, containing 

 scent-scales or androconia. 



Caterpillar. — Length nearly two inches ; head yellow 

 striped with black ; body white with narrow black and yellow 

 cross stripes on each segment. On the second thoracic seg- 

 ment there is a pair of black whiplash-like filaments. On the 

 eighth abdominal segment is a similar pair, but shorter. 



Food-plant — Milkweed. 



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