Genus Argynnis 



spots are not found ; in others they are more or less evanescent, 

 occurring in the case of some individuals, and being absent in the 

 case of others. 



(i) Argynnis idalia, Drury, Plate X, Fig. 3, 9 ; Plate V, 

 Fig. 4, chrysalis (The Regal Fritillary). 



Butterfly. — The upper side of the fore wings of the male is 

 bright fulvous, marked very much as in other species of the genus. 

 The upper side of the hind wings is black, glossed with blue, 

 having a marginal row of fulvous and a submarginal row of 

 cream-colored spots. On the under side the fore wings are ful- 

 vous, with a marginal row of silver crescents, and some silvery 

 spots on and near the costa. The hind wings are dark olive-brown, 

 marked with three rows of large irregular spots of a dull greenish- 

 silvery color. The female is at once distinguished from the male 

 by having the marginal row of spots on the hind wings cream- 

 colored, like the submarginal row, and by the presence of a 

 similar row of light spots on the fore wings. Expanse, 2.75- 

 4.00 inches. 



Egg. — The egg in form is like those of other species of 

 Argynnis. 



Caterpillar.— The caterpillar moults five times before attaining 

 to maturity. When fully developed it is 1.75 inches long, black, 

 banded and striped with ochreous and orange-red, and adorned 

 with six rows of fleshy spines surmounted by several black 

 bristles. The spines composing the two dorsal rows are white, 

 tipped with black; those on the sides black, tinted with orange 

 at the point where they join the body. The caterpillar feeds on 

 violets, and is nocturnal in its habits. 



Chrysalis. — The chrysalis is brown, mottled with yellow and 

 tinted on the wing-cases with pinkish. It is about an inch long, 

 and in outline does not depart from the other species of the genus. 



This exceedingly beautiful insect ranges from Maine to Ne- 

 braska. It is found in northern New Jersey, the mountainous 

 parts of New York and northern Pennsylvania, and is reported 

 from Arkansas and Nebraska. It is rather local, and frequents 

 open spots on the borders of woodlands. At times it is appa- 

 rently common, and then for a succession of seasons is scarce. It 

 flies from the end of June to the beginning of September. 



(2) Argynnis diana, Cramer, Plate IX, Fig. 1, $ ; Fig. 2, $ 

 (Diana). 



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