THE ADONIS BLUE 
235 
of the upper surface, but differs from it in its similarity to 
other Blues in its compressed circular form. The surface is 
covered with reticulations of a much smaller pattern than 
that of L. coridon , and the general colouring is greener. 
Larva. Towards the end of October, the larva enters into 
hibernation. Usually it attaches itself to a layer of silk spun 
upon the under side of a leaflet, it then remains motionless 
until the middle or end of March, according to the weather. 
If fine and mild it feeds a little on the tender young shoots, 
eating little portions of the cuticle. 
After the fourth moult, 
the larva attains full 
growth, when it measures 
15 mm. in length. It re¬ 
sembles L. coridon so closely 
that it might readily be 
mistaken for it. The chief 
distinction is the darker 
green ground colour of L. 
bellargus, and the fact that 
the yellow crescentic mark¬ 
ings above the claspers are 
narrower and form more 
perfect lunules. On the 
first segment is a central 
pale greenish lozenge¬ 
shaped disc, studded with 
spines. On the tenth seg- 
/ 
The Adonis Blue during cloudy weather. 
Sketched from life. 
ment is a transverse honey- 
gland and a retractile tubercle on each side of the eleventh 
segment. The colour is a deep green, with bright gamboge- 
yellow' longitudinal stripes similar to those of L. coridon . 
These stand out in rich contrast to the deep green ground¬ 
colour. Larvae w r hich hibernate pass eight months from the 
time of hatching from the egg to pupation. When ready to 
pupate, the larva conceals itself at the base of the plant and 
spins a few r silken threads on the surface of the ground, 
forming a slight cocoon of the earth and vegetable refuse. 
Pupa. The pupa is n mm. long ; the head is rounded ; 
the wings are rather swollen and slightly angular at the base ; 
