COLIAS III, 
Female. Expands 2.5 inches. 
Upper side orange, less pure than in male, much obscured by black scales at 
base of primaries and over whole of secondaries ; often, however, the color is green- 
ish-yellow with a deep orange tint upon the disk and inner margin of primaries 
and a slight flush of same over secondaries ; primaries have the marginal border 
broad, dilated at apex, much advanced on costa, the inner edge not clearly defined, 
with two deep sinuses on the sub-median and upper median interspaces ; within 
the border a transverse, yellow, macular band, of which the spot in median inter- 
space is usually wanting ; discal spot large, nearly round. 
Secondaries have the border irregular, dilated at upper end and partly enclos- 
ing a yellow macular band ; discal spot and fringes as in male. 
Under side pale yellow, or greenish-yellow, (according to the jire valence of 
orange or greenish-yellow on upper side,) tinted with orange on disk of primaries ; 
the sub-marginal patches and points distinct ; discal spots as in male, that of pri- 
maries having the central spot conspicious. 
Variety A, ?. Color above and below greenish- white ; marked as in the type. 
Larva : mature, length 1.4 inch. Dorsal surface dark velvety green, finely 
plicated transversely. On either side a narrow white line on which are irregular 
patches of bright vermillion, some of which are occasionally shaded with orange 
yellow. Under side green. 
Chrysalis light green, with a stigmatal yellow line, above which is a brown 
point on each segment ; a sub-dorsal brown patch commencing at edge of wing cov- 
ers and occupying two or three segments. Length .95 inch. 
Egg greenish white, translucent, pointed at one end and truncated at the other, 
ribbed longitudinally with transverse striae between. Length, .086 inch, greatest 
width .009 inch. 
From notes by L. K. Hay hurst, Esq., Sedalia, Missouri, who succeeded in rais- 
ing the larvae from eggs deposited by a female in captivity. The larvae fed upon 
Trifolium repens (white clover) and T. reflexum (Buffalo grass) . The eggs hatched 
July 1st ; changed to pupae July 15th and the butterflies emerged July 24th. Mr. 
Hay hurst adds, “the larvae are scarcely different from those of C. Philodice , except 
in being larger and having the lateral spots of a brighter scarlet.” 
According to Dr. Behr, “the caterpillar is of a lively green with a brimstone 
colored stripe above the feet, and feeds upon a species of Hosackia, and probably 
other liguminous plants.” This species is- widely distributed over the western part 
of the Continent, both in the Mississippi valley and on the Pacific slope. Dr. Behr 
says “it is very common in California,” and it also is in the vicinity of New Orleans 
and in part of Texas. Very rarely specimens have been taken east of the Alle- 
ghanies. I have never met with it myself, either in New York, New Jersey or even 
