NYMPH ALIDiE. 
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The lower wings, however, are quite dark, being almost black except 
near their base, while the under side of the insect is frequently dark 
purplish gray with wide irregular bands of brown. 
The silvery spot is quite conspicuous in this form, as the dark 
color surrounding it brings it into prominence. 
There are two broods in a season, one in June, and the other, 
which is much the larger, in September. The butterfly frequently 
hibernates during the winter, and, like Vanessa antiopa , makes its 
appearance early in the spring. 
Grapta iuterrogationis. Under side. 
The caterpillar is brown with light yellowish mottlings, and a 
yellow stripe low down on each side., The branching spines with 
which its body is armed are yellowish tipped with black. It feeds 
on the hop, and in some localities does considerable damage. The 
elm is also attacked by it, particularly the young trees, but I have 
never seen it in sufficient numbers to do them any great injury. 
The chiysalis is light brown with a slight purplish tinge and lias 
several silvery or golden spots on the back. It is angular and spiny, 
with projections like ears on the anterior end, and a sharp ridge at 
the back of the thorax. 
Like many other butterflies, this species is very partial to half- 
decayed sweet fruits, and is often seen with other kinds in autumn 
in pear and peach orchards. It is an easy insect to rear in confine¬ 
ment, but greatly subject to the attacks of parasites. 
Several other species of the genus Grrapta are plentiful in the 
