Part 63 (1/2)

_Caterpillar._--Not differing materially in its characteristics from the caterpillars of other hesperid genera.

_Chrysalis._--Somewhat slender, with the dorsal and ventral outlines straighter than in any of the preceding genera, and the dorsum very slightly elevated in the region of the thoracic segments.

[Ill.u.s.tration FIG. 161.--Neuration of the genus _Amblyscirtes_.]

(1) =Amblyscirtes vialis=, Edwards, Plate XLVII, Fig. 5, ?; Plate VI, Fig. 40, _chrysalis_ (The Roadside Skipper).

_b.u.t.terfly._--This little species, an exceptionally bright example of which is represented in the plate, may be known by the dark color of the upper surface, almost uniformly brown, with a few subapical light spots at the costa. In the specimen that is figured these light spots are continued across the wing as a curved band, but this is not usual. The wings on the under side in both s.e.xes are very much as on the upper side, save that both wings on the outer third are lightly laved with gray. Expanse, 1.00 inch.

_Early Stages._--These have been described with minute accuracy by Dr.

Scudder.

The Roadside Skipper ranges from Montreal to Florida, and westward as far as Nevada and Texas. It is not a common species in the valley of the Mississippi; it seems to be far more common in southern New England and in Colorado. At all events, I have obtained more specimens from these localities than from any others.

(2) =Amblyscirtes samoset=, Scudder, Plate XLVII, Fig. 6, ?; Plate VI, Fig. 45, _chrysalis_ (Pepper-and-salt Skipper).

_b.u.t.terfly._--This little species on the upper side has the ground-color as in the preceding species; the fringes on both wings are pale gray.

There are three small subapical spots on the fore wing, three somewhat larger spots, one on either side of the second median nervule and the third near the inner margin, and two very minute spots at the end of the cell. On the under side the wings are pale gray, the white spots of the upper side of the fore wing reappearing. The hind wing is in addition marked by a semicircular median band of white spots, a small spot at the end of the cell, and another conspicuous white spot about the middle of the costa. Expanse, 1.00-1.10 inch.

_Early Stages._--The caterpillar apparently feeds upon gra.s.ses. We know as yet very little of the life-history of the insect.

It is found in Maine, New Hamps.h.i.+re, along the summits of the Appalachian mountain-ranges as far south as West Virginia, and is reported to be common in Wisconsin and Michigan.

(3) =Amblyscirtes aenus=, Edwards, Plate XLVII, Fig. 7, ? (The Bronze Skipper).

_b.u.t.terfly._--This obscure little species has the upper side of the wings somewhat tawny. The markings, which are similar to those in _A.

samoset_, are not white, but yellow. The wings on the under side are darker than in _samoset._ The spots of the fore wing are the same, but the spots on the under side of the hind wing are different, and form a zigzag postmedian transverse band, with a single small spot at the end of the cell, and another of the same size beyond the middle of the costa. Expanse, 1.00-1.20 inch.

_Early Stages._--These are unknown.

The species occurs in western Texas and Arizona.

(4) =Amblyscirtes simius=, Edwards, Plate XLVII, Fig. 8, ? (Simius).

_b.u.t.terfly._--The upper side of the male is correctly figured in the plate. The wings on the under side are quite pale; the spots of the fore wing reappear on the under side, and the fore wing is blackish at the base; the hind wing has the angle at the base broadly white, with a broad white blotch at the end of the cell, and a semicircular curved band of obscure spots traversing the middle of the wing. Expanse, ?, .90 inch; ?, 1.20 inch.

_Early Stages._--Unknown.

The species was originally described from Colorado.

(5) =Amblyscirtes textor=, Edwards, Plate XLVII, Fig. 16, ?, _under side_ (The Woven-winged Skipper).

_b.u.t.terfly._--This little species, the under side of which is accurately delineated in the plate, needs no description to characterize it, as its peculiar markings serve at once to distinguish it from all other species. Expanse, 1.25-1.45 inch.

_Early Stages._--Unknown.

This little insect ranges from North Carolina southward to Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.