THE GOSSAMER-WINGED BUTTERFLIES 



The Spring Azure 



Cyaniris ladon (Cy-a-ni'ris la'don) 



Plate XXXVIII, Fig. 1-13 



In this species the hind wings are without tails, the eyes 

 are hairy, and the lower surface of the wings is pale ash-gray. 

 This combination of characters will distinguish it from all 

 other blues occurring in the eastern United States. But the 

 species is not confined to this region, as it occurs in nearly all 

 parts of the United States and in a large part of Canada. 



This butterfly exhibits a very complicated polymorphism, 

 both seasonal and sexual ; nine forms are now recognized and 

 named ; of these five occur in the East. The five eastern 

 forms can be separated by the following table based on the 

 publications of Mr. Edwards. 



A. The spots on the outer margin of the lower surface of the 

 wings blurred so as to form a continuous band (Plate 

 XXXVIII, Fig. 2, s). 



B. The spots in the middle of the lower surface of the 

 hind wings also blurred. (C. ladon lucid.') 



The Northern Spring Form. 



BB. The spots in the middle of the hind wing distinct. (C. 

 ladon marginata.~) The Margined Spring Form. 



AA. The spots on the lower surface of wings not blurred 

 (Plate XXXVIII, Fig. 8, 13). 



B. Markings on lower side of wings comparatively heavy. 

 Early spring butterflies. (C. laden violacca,') 



The Typical Spring Form. 



BB. Markings on lower side of wings lighter. 

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