68 



The Butterflies 



is jet black. The caterpillar feeds upon the stinging nettle it 

 June and July, and the butterfly appears on the wing in 

 August, some specimens hibernate and appear again in April 

 and May. It is rare in Guernsey, but abundant in Sark. 



8. — Pyrameis Atalanta. (Eed Admiral). Is common in 

 Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. It is known here by the name 

 of the " King Butterfly." It is a beautiful species easily re- 

 cognised by its intense velvety black wings branded with scarlet 

 obliquely across. The richness of its colouring makes this 

 species a special favourite ; a most attractive and common 

 picture is formed in autumn by a group of Red Admirals sport- 

 ing about ivy, and sucking nectar from its flowers. 



The caterpillar is found on nettles in June, July and 

 August, and the perfect insect makes its appearance in August, 

 September and October. 



On March 6th, 1875, Mrs. Boley found four large larvae of 

 this species on nettles in the lane leading to Fermain Bay. 

 These changed into the chrysalis on April 18th, and the first 

 butterfly emerged as early as May 11th. This being so unusual 

 a time for its appearance, I was induced to send a note to the 

 " Entomologist " which elicited the following remark from the 

 editor, the late Mr. Edward Newman. " It is interesting to 

 learn thai a butterfly, which in England never leaves the pupa 

 state before August, should in Guernsey emerge as early as the 

 11th of May." 



9. — Pyrameis Cardui (Painted Lady). This butterfly is 

 very uncertain in its appearance ; in some years scarcely one is 

 to be seen and in others it is extremely abundant. To see the 

 Common White Butterfly sailing over fields of clover or lucerne, 

 stopping occasionally to visit the flowers, is a pleasant picture, 

 but when with these are seen, as may be done in some seasons, 

 a troop of Red Admirals, a few Tortoiseshells, a sprinkling of 

 Painted Ladies, and perhaps one or two Clouded Yellows, all 

 disporting themselves in the same field, forming a rich contrast 



