81 
Argynnis idalia, Dru. 
The larva when first hatched is .08 of an inch in length, slightly 
enlarged toward the middle; color, pale semi-transparent brown, 
with rows of tubercular dark spots; after the first molt it has a 
mottled appearance, and is striped with brown, with longitudinal 
rows of black hairy spines; there are five molts, the colors changing 
each time. The length at maturity is 1.75 inches; tapering toward 
each extremity; of a velvety-black color, with ochreous-yellow bands 
and stripes; a broad dorsal stripe is traversed by a spotted black 
line, sometimes obsolete; a darker line below the stomata; three 
narrow bands extend from the lower line on one side to that on the 
other, running between the segments; a yellow dash on each seg¬ 
ment, extending from the dorsal stripe to the stomata; stomata 
black, oval, surrounded by white; six rows of fleshy spines, two 
dorsal rows silvery white, lower rows orange, at least at the base. 
The spines emit a number of straight fine black bristles; the last 
segment is wholly yellow; under side, olive - brown; legs black, pro¬ 
legs smoky-brown. Head bilobed, upper half reddish, lower part 
black. 
Feeds on wild Violet. 
Argynnis diana, Cram. 
The young larvae of diana, cybele and aphrodite are so similar as 
to be almost indistinguishable from each other; they are about one- 
twentietli of an inch in length, cylindrical in form, and of a greenish- 
brown color, with rows of darker tubercular spots, from each of 
which proceeds a black hair; head, brown. When touched, the 
larva curls up. The spines on the full-grown caterpillars of this 
species are much larger than those of the other two, radiating from 
the central axis of the body like the spokes of a wheel. 
Feeds on wild Violets. 
Argynnis cybele, Fabr. 
The full-grown larva is black, with a reddish tinge; a transverse 
row of branching spines on each segment, being yellowish at the 
base and brownish at the tips; on each of the anterior segments 
below the spines are a. number of black tubercles, from each of 
which proceeds a tuft of short, black hairs. Stomata black, oval, 
with lighter margins; feet black; pro-legs reddish-brown, with a 
black spot on the outside, near the base ; head black, slightly 7 
bilobed, with a tubercle on each tip, emitting a moderately long, 
black hair; many fine black hairs on the face. Length, two inches; 
slightly tapering toward each extremity. 
Chrysalis suspended from a white silk button. 
Food plant, wild Violet. Two-brooded. 
Argynnis aphrodite, Fabr. 
When young, as previously stated, this larva closely resembles 
that of cybele and diana ; its length, when full-grown, is about 1J 
inches. 
Like the others, it is two-brooded, and feeds on wild Violets. 
—6 
