PHYCIODES. By J. Rézrr. 435 
To Phyciodes in our sense, there belong about 160 species, of which those that resemble Melitaea frequent, 
‘like these, flowery, open meadows, whereas the mimetic forms prefer the woods. Our figures show the enormous 
diversity of species, a large number of which represent the best known examples of Mimicry. The Melitaea- 
like species are, however, connected with the socalled mimetic ones by all kinds of intermediate forms, which, 
although differing quite considerably from typical Melitaea, cannot be considered as mimics either; for which 
reason it is not possible to separate the species into regular groups, whereas they furnish an excellent means for 
gaining an insight into the phenomenon of mimicry by showing the manner in which ordinary, plain forms 
have been changed into mimetic ones. Thus we are justified in considering Phyciodes as one of the most interest- 
ing lepidopterous genera. The respective similarity of the mimetic forms to species of some other family 
will appear in the descriptions of the different species. The caterpillars, as far as known, were found on Com- 
positae, f. 1. Diclippa and Actinomeris. 
Ph. liriope. Of this species we know quite a number of local forms, some of which cannot be sharply 
separated. — liriope Cr. (= morpheus F.) (89 a), from the Amazon, is the most gaudily marked form. Ground- liriope. 
colour deep brownish-yellow, on the upper surface of the forewings the subapical band well developed, on the 
hindwings. outside of the broadly blackish-fuscous border, a narrow submarginal band and, in addition a series 
of spots which in ¢§ is partly obliterated. — lirina Sigr. i. 1., from Bolivia, is a dwarf form distinguished by Jirina. 
the dark terminal markings both above and beneath. — claudina Hsch. (89 a), from southern Brazil and Argen- claudina. 
tina has fewer, but more sharply defmed markings, in 3 the subapical band on the forewings often quite 
rudimentary; both sexes lack on the hindwing the third dark macular band, and in the 3 the submarginal band 
is frequently only just indicated. — flavia Godt. (89a), from Chiriqui, is even less marked than claudina, flavia. 
having in particular the subapical band on the forewings reduced or only indicated by a few spots. — A 
somewhat more strongly marked form, of paler ground-colour, is flavina Sigr. i. 1. (89 a) from Peru. — fragilis flavina. 
Bates (89 a), from Cayenne. is characterized by the broad, dark borders of both wings, outside of which the mar- fragilis. 
kings are greatly reduced, especially also on the underside. — guatemal# Bates (89 b), from Guatemala and Hon- guatemaluen<. 
duras, has the markings of the upper surface very much reduced and faded, those of the under surface quite 
insignificant. — pastazena Bates (89 b), from Ecuador. Ground-colour deep brownish-yellow; upper surface pastazena. 
almost devoid of all markings, with the exception of a narrow terminal border. Under surface pale, but sharply 
marked. — anieta Hew. (89 b), from Venezuela, has the marginal and subapical markings very distinct, but anieta. 
aside from these the upperside quite unmarked. Underneath the ground-colour yellowish, with pale brownish 
markings. — orobia Hew. (89b) from southern Brazil and Argentina has the outer area of the forewings orobia. 
heavily marked, otherwise quite monotonous. Probably anieta or orobia is identical with the following thyme- 
tus. — Larva bluish greenish-black, with a pale lateral stripe; venter greenish-yellow, head brown-yellow 
striped with black. Lives gregariously on Cyrtanthera, when young on the underside of the leaves, of which 
it only gnaws the epidermis. According to Dr. Sxrrrz, the South-Brazilian form flies throughout the year, and 
is exceedingly common; pupa very much like that of Araschnia prorsa, brownish-grey with violet lustre, very 
prominent dorsal projections, and short, partly silvered points at the back. Imago flies on forest-roads and 
in gardens, is very common whereever it occurs, and has the jerking, swimming flight of our Araschnia levana. 
Ph. cluvia Salv. a. Godm. closely approaches anieta, but the forewings are much more broadly black cluvia. 
at the base: under surface much darker, forewings with 2 ochreous spots, a larger one near the median 
nervule, the other in the shape of a postdiscal band. A mountain form from Guatemala, occurring at altitudes 
of from 4—6000 ft. 
Ph. thymetus #. The original description of this species reads: ‘‘Wings complete (i. e. with smooth thymetus. 
margins), yellow, with brown outer border. Habitat unknown’. Dr. A. G. BurrprR remarks in his “Catalogue 
of Diurnal Lepidoptera described by Fapricrus in 1869” that this species is well figured in Jones’ unpublished 
“Tcones”, without, however, giving any further description. From the author’s entirely insufficient descrip- 
tion it appears to be some feebly marked form of liriope. Krtrey’s Catalogue mentions Brazil as its home. 
Ph. amazonica Gates (89 b) from the Amazon has the wings much more rounded, both wings broadly amazonica. 
bordered with blackish-fuscous above, with 5, partly incomplete.rows of black spots on pale brown ground. 
Under surface greyish-yellow, with deep black, pale margined rows of spots. 
Ph. ursula Sigr. (89 c), from Bolivia, is a small-sized, brown-yellow species, marked with a delicate ursula. 
network of black lines on the forewings above, from which the black subapical band stands forth very clearly. 
The 2 has the black markings much broader. On the yellowish, sparingly brown-marked under surface of 
the hindwings a very distinct brown median longitudinal stripe. 
Ph. nycteis Dbl. a. Hew. (89 c) is found in the United States of North America, from Maine to North nycteis. 
Carolina, and westwards to the foot of the Rockies; it is the largest among its near allies. — Egg half as 
high as broad, with 16 or 17 vertical stripes above, forming at the middle hexagonal figures; its colour is 
green. The caterpillars undergoes 4 moults. Full-grown it is velvety black, with a dark orange streak along 
