Publ. 5. VI. 1913. DIONE. By Dr. A. Serrz. N 401 
5. Genus: Dione Hon. 
This genus, formerly known as Agraulis, is outwardly characterized by the frequently very rich sil- 
vering of the under surface of the hindwings, traces of which we have already found in the last described 
species of the preceding genus. The venation is not constant and cannot serve to characterize the genus; 
thus in moneta the 1. subcostal nervule is emitted at the end of the cell, in vanillae behind it. Neither can the 
larva or pupa serve to distinguish the two genera; only a slight difference is to be observed in the structure 
of the antennae and in the palpi, which are distented like those of Argynnis. But for that reason to unite 
it with these, or on account of the open cell in the hindwing to separate it from the Heliconinae and class it 
with the Argynninae, I do not judge to be right, considering the many analogies existing between Dione 
and the Heliconians, as to their mode of life, distribution, structure, the spines of the larva, the food-plant, 
the scent-organs, the stink-glands of the 99, the puifed up extremity of the 9 abdomen, the pote -shape of 
the eggs etc. But few, rather closely allied species are known. 
D. juno Cr. (S4e). Above very much like Col. julia, together with which it is found. Under surface juno, —~ 
with numerous silvery spots which, however, are neither so large nor so bright as in moneta. Not much is 
seen of these, when the butterfly is flying or when, the wings flatly extended, it sips honey from some flower, 
preferably some composite plant. The 99 are often very much larger than the figured g, and vary indivi- 
dually as to the extent of the black markings, so that one can at the same time capture specimens with broad 
and with narrow border. At Santos in South Brazil I haven even taken specimens with some fine reddish 
spots within the black terminal border; the figured specimen which likewise shows these, came from Rio. Specimens 
taken in Ecuador by Harnscu during January, are very brillantly coloured, above bordered with jetblack, 
on the under surface the ground-colour dark brown, not buff. On the forewing the beginnings of a third, pre- 
apical, black band, starting from the costa. Otherwise these specimens agree almost exactly with andicola andicola.\~ 
Bates, described from Chimborazo, differing, however, from the form huascama Reak. (84), occurring from huascama. —— 
Mexico throughout Central America to Colombia and Ecuador. Here the black markings of the upper surface 
are reduced, the preapical band is obsolete and on the hindwings the termen interrupted by curved spots of the 
ground-colour. — Larva, like that of Colaenis, on Passiflorae, but living gregariously; at first black, later 
paler with dark markings and black spines; head without horns, but the dorsal pair of spines on the first seg- 
ment curved forward over the head. Very common, from Mexico to Argentina and Peru, generally all the year 
round. ; 
D. vanillae L. (= passiflorae F.) (84 f) may be distinguished from the preceding species by the black yaniliae. - 
dots on the upper surface. Under surface richly adorned with silvery spots. Ranges from Virginia in the United 
States throughout America southward to Buenos Aires, forming such a number of varieties that one might 
give at least 20 names, but which cannot be geographically defined. Neither is it possible to separate the 
different broods, for their whole development requires in the Tropics lex than 4—6 weeks, so that a great 
number of broods follow one another throughout the year. In southern Brazil I noticed that the specimens 
taken in February were largest and lightest, that thereafter they became ever smaller and darker, until in Au- 
gust the 2° were almost black and only 40 mm in expanse, after which time the variation took place the oppo- 
site way. The spots on the forewing vary greatly in number, being placed nearer together or farther apart; 
the veins may or may not terminate in spots. The spots in the cell of the forewings are beneath nearly always, above 
frequently centred with white, those marking the end of the cell occasionally united into a band. On the hind- 
wing the terminal border as a rule with a chain-pattern (= catella Stich.), in northerly specimens, from Mexico 
and the Antilles, often only with some black anteterminal arches (= imsularis Magn.). — We only mention 
one striking form from Peru and Ecuador, copying above exactly the colouring of D. juno: = lucina Fldr. lucina. — 
(84e). Forewings spotted only in the cell and on the termen, with an almost complete oblique band be- 
fore the apex; hindwings with broadly black outer margin, devoid of any larger spots of fulvous. This form 
is of rather large size, although it does not come up to some specimens I took at Buenos Aires in January, 
the $j of which had, moreover, the forewings rather more pointed (= maculosa Stich.). Most characteristic 
is the under surface, where the apex contains on the forewing only one, on the hindwing only a few isolated 
silvery spots. Larva pale brown, ringed with darker, with orange-yellow lateral stripes suffused with grey 
above, and yellow-ochreous spines; underside dark brown. Head with two rather long spines. Feeds on 
Passiflorae, not on Vanille. Pupa dark red-brown-with white lateral and ventral stripes, provided in front with 
fine ribs or rudimentary teeth of a saw-like appendage such as we distinctly observe in some Heliconius 
(apseudes). Yn their flight and other habits the butterflies resemble our Argynnis; they love to visit flowers 
of various kinds, fly throughout the year, and belong to the commonest Lepidoptera of Tropical America. 
D. moneta Hbn. Upper surface of both wings at the base, of the forewing in the costal area dark moneta. 
chestnut-brown, the veins black. Hindwings in the distal half orange-yellow, the marginal border black, 
spotted with rufous. Underneath the silver spots much larger and closer together than in vanillae; also the costa 
of the forewing silvered in places. From northern South America, — Our figure was made from a specimen 
= 51 
