LEPID OP TERA . 40 1 



the Rocky Mountains ; but it is very rare in the northern 

 half of this region. 



III. The Angle-wings or the Vanessids (Va-nes'sids). — To 

 this group belong many of our best-known butterflies. With 

 these the outer margin of the fore wings is usually decidedly 

 angular or notched as if a part had been cut away. A large 

 proportion of the species hibernate in the adult state, and 

 some of them are the first butterflies to appear in the spring. 

 Some of the hibernating species, however, remain in conceal- 

 ment till quite late in the season. 



The Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta (Va-nes'sa at-a- 

 lan'ta). — The wings are purplish black above. On the fore 

 wing there is a bright 

 orange-colored band 

 beginning near the 

 middle of the costa, 

 and extending nearly 

 to the inner angle ; 

 between this and the 

 apex of the wing are 

 several white spots, 

 as shown in Figure 



Fig. 473. — Vanessa atalanta. 



473 ; on the hind 



wing there is an orange band on the outer margin inclosing 

 a row of black spots. The lower surface of the wings is 

 shown on Plate I, Fig. 6. 



The larva feeds chiefly on nettle and on hop. When 

 first hatched it folds together a half-opened leaf at the sum- 

 mit of the plant ; when larger it makes its nest of a lower 

 expanded leaf. There are two broods ; both butterflies and 

 chrysalids hibernate. This butterfly occurs over nearly the 

 whole of the European and North American continents. 



The Painted Beauty, Vanessa hunt era (Va-nes'sa hun'- 

 te-ra) — The wings above are very dark brownish black, with 

 large irregular spots of golden orange. In the apical portion 

 of the fore wings there are several white spots, as shown 



