COLIAS I. 
V 
$ 
^ ( 0 ^ e 
COLIAS ALEXANDRA. 1—4. 
Colias Alexandra. % $ . Edwarls, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila. ii, p. 14. 1863. 
Male. Expands from 1.9 to 2.2 inches. 
Upper side bright lemon-yellow, with a greenish tinge on the inner half of 
secondaries ; base of wings and costa of primaries slightly powdered with black 
scales ; fringe yellow. ' 
Primaries have a broad black marginal band, the inner edge of which is usu- 
ally not crenated, hut is parallel to the margin, with a small angular projection upon 
the submedian interspace ; at the apex it curves slightly and extends a little way 
along the costal margin, less than in C. Philodice ; on the inner margin it termi- 
nates as in that species ; this band is crossed to the fringe by the yellow nervules ; 
on the arc is a narrow black mark, in length not exceeding half the arc, sometimes 
a little dilated and then enclosing a yellow point. 
Secondaries have a narrow margin terminating acutely before the anal angle, 
crenated within and crossed by the yellow nervures ; sometimes on the arc is a mi- 
nute spot of paler color, but this is usually panting. 
Under side : primaries same yellow as above, pale at apex and on inner mar- 
gin ; ^ costal margin slightly powdered with minute black scales and edged with pale 
roseate ; discal spot as above ; otherwise immaculate. Secondaries wholly greenish- 
yellow, covered with black scales ; discal spot small, rounded, silver-white, without 
a border ; otherwise immaculate ; nor is there a pink tinge at base as in Philodice 
and many species of Colias ; edge of costa pale roseate to the end of the costal ner- 
vure only ; fringe of both wings yellow. 
Palpi pale yellow ; legs and antennae pale roseate ; club blackish above, brown- 
ish-yellow below and at tip. 
Female. Expands 2.3 inches. 
Upper side less brightly colored, having a greenish tinge throughout, and with- 
out a marginal band ; fringe yellow and otherwise as in the male. 
Variety a. Female; expands 2.1 inches. 
Primaries have the apex bluish-white, and an obsolete macular band, indica- 
ted only by clusters of scales along the margin and apex and by a line of scales 
anterior to these ; on the under side of secondaries the hind and inner margins have 
a bluish tint. 
c*0. 
