GENUS PYRAMEIS 177 



Genus PYRAMEIS. 



A small genus of nearly world-wide flyers. Similar in most 

 points to the Vanessans, and at some time classed with them 

 under the genus name of Vanessa, but now generally considered 

 a separate genus. 



These, like the Vanessans, are short-bodied, and strong flying 

 butterflies ; they are great feeders on flowers, and are individually 

 long-lived and vigorous. 



The indications as to sex are the same as in the Vanessans. 



227. Pyrameis Atalanta. 



Plate XXII ; Figure 227, Male, Southern California, 

 1890; Author. 

 This is so common and well known that no words are required. 

 It flies over almost the whole world, and is known to nearly every 

 race of men. 



Larval food-plant is nettles. 



228. Pyrameis Huntera. 



Plate XXII ; Figure 228, Male, Southern California, 1888; 

 Author. 

 The figure shows the underside of the male, as the large ocelli 

 on the hind wing are the most significant points in the determin- 

 ation of the species. On the upper side it looks much like the next 

 species, but it is much scarcer. It is in the south a mountain flyer, 

 and in the north as well, though not to so great a degree. Hun- 

 tera flies over the whole of the United States, being, as stated, 

 rare ; it is, however, very wary, and not easily caught, so that it 

 is not so very rare as at first appears. 



229. Pyrameis Cardui. 



Plate XXII ; Figure 229, Male, Southern California, 1890; 

 Author. 



This also is almost universal, being known practically every- 

 where. It was named Cardui on account of its being found feed- 

 ing on carduus or thistle, but rather unfortunately so, as the larvae 

 feed on very many plants, and of them all thistle seems to be about 

 the last one that is used, and then, as a last resort ; this, at least, 

 on the West Coast. Here, amsinkia is the plant which is pre- 

 ferred. 



