THE ESSEX SKIPPER 
369 
the anal segment. It measures 15-90 mm. in length. The 
head is rounded and broad, with a central beak. The anal 
segment terminates in a long, slightly-curved cremastral flap 
furnished with long hooks; these are securely fastened to a 
layer of silk spun on the grass blade. The head beak is 
likewise covered with long-shanked hooks projecting in all 
directions ; these are also anchored to the silk layer so that 
the pupa is secured both by 
a cincture round the waist. 
The colour is a clear light 
green with a rather darker 
green dorsal stripe bordered 
on each side by a whitish 
line; there is also a darker 
sub-dorsal stripe and ex¬ 
tremely faint lateral lines. 
The head and wings are 
whitish-green ; the beak and 
cremaster are pearly-white. 
The pupal stage lasts twenty 
days. 
Imago. The sexes are 
almost similar, except for an 
ill-defined androconial mark 
on the fore wing of the male. 
(Upper Side.) The ground 
colour is fulvous ; the costal 
margin of the fore wing is 
narrowly edged with black ; 
the outer margins of both 
wings are bordered with black; - the base of the wings and 
inner margin of the fore wing are olive ; the inner margin 
of the hind wing is blackish. Along the lower edge of the 
median nervure of the fore wing, in the male, is a straight, 
dusky androconial mark, which in freshly-emerged specimens 
is a leaden-grey colour ; in examples captured after being 
on the wing, it is much more distinct and is blackish with a 
very short detached mark below the basal end. The neuration 
increases in depth, blending into black towards the margin. 
The fringes are black along the inner half and along the outer 
le head and tail as well as by 
The Essex Skipper at rest for the 
night on a withered Plantain head, 
facing rather a strong south-westerly 
wind. Sketched from life. 
B.B. 
AA 
