Part 66 (1/2)

(2) =Thymelicus aetna=, Boisduval, Plate XLVI, Fig. 28, ?; Fig. 29, ?; Plate VI, Fig. 42, _chrysalis_ (The Volcanic Skipper).

_b.u.t.terfly._--Both s.e.xes are well represented on the upper side in the plate. On the under side the wings are paler, with the light spots of the upper side repeated. Expanse, ?, 1.00 inch; ?, 1.25 inch.

_Early Stages._--What we know of these is well stated in the pages of Dr. Scudder's great work. The caterpillar usually feeds on gra.s.ses.

The species ranges from New England, Ontario, and Wisconsin on the north to the Gulf, and as far west as Iowa and Texas.

(3) =Thymelicus mystic=, Scudder, Plate XLVI, Fig. 22, ?; Fig. 23, ?

(The Long-dash).

_b.u.t.terfly._--No description of the upper side is needed, the figures in the plate being sufficient to enable identification. On the under side the primaries are fulvous on the costa at the base. The remainder of the primaries and the secondaries are dark ferruginous, with the light spots of the upper side all repeated greatly enlarged, pale, and standing out boldly upon the dark ground-color. The hind wings are pale brown on the inner margin. Expanse, ?, 1.10 inch; ?, 1.25 inch.

_Early Stages._--These have been elaborately described by Scudder. The caterpillar feeds on gra.s.ses, making a tubular nest for itself among the leaves.

The insect ranges through southern Canada and New England to Pennsylvania, and westward to Wisconsin.

Genus ATALOPEDES, Scudder

_b.u.t.terfly._--Antennae short, less than half the length of the costa; club short, stout, crooked just at the end; the palpi as in the preceding genus. The cut shows the neuration. The only mark of distinction between this genus and the two genera that follow is found in the shape of the discal stigma on the wing of the male, which is described as follows by Dr. Scudder: ”Discal stigma in male consisting of, first, a longitudinal streak at base of middle median inters.p.a.ce, of s.h.i.+ning black, recurved rods; second, of a semilunar field of dead-black erect rods in the lowest median inters.p.a.ce, overhung above by long, curving scales; followed below by a short, small striga of s.h.i.+ning black scales, and outside by a large field of erect, loosely compacted scales.”

[Ill.u.s.tration FIG. 168.--Neuration of the genus _Atalopedes_, enlarged.]

_Egg._--Hemispherical, covered with a network of delicate raised lines describing small polygons over the surface; minutely punctate.

_Caterpillar._--Cylindrical, tapering backward and forward; head large; the neck less constricted than in the genus _Eudamus_ or in the genus _Thanaos_; dark in color.

_Chrysalis._--The chrysalis is slender, cylindrical, a little humped upon the thorax, with the tongue-sheath free and projecting to the end of the fifth abdominal segment.

(1) =Atalopedes huron=, Edwards, Plate XLVI, Fig. 4, ?; Fig. 5, ?; Plate VI, Figs. 43, 47, _chrysalis_ (The Sachem).

_b.u.t.terfly._--The upper side of the wings in both s.e.xes is well represented in the plate. On the under side the wings are paler, with the light spots of the upper side faintly repeated. Expanse, ?, 1.15 inch; ?, 1.35 inch.

_Early Stages._--These are described in full with painstaking accuracy by Scudder in ”The b.u.t.terflies of New England.” The caterpillar feeds on gra.s.ses.

The species ranges from southern New York to Florida, thence westward and southward into Mexico.

Genus POLITES, Scudder

_b.u.t.terfly._--The antennae and the palpi are as in the preceding genus; the neuration of the wings is also very much the same. This is another genus founded by Dr. Scudder upon the shape of the discal stigma in the wing of the male. His description of this feature is as follows: ”Discal stigma of male consisting of an interrupted, gently arcuate or sinuate streak of dead-black retrorse scales or rods, edged below, especially in the middle, by a border of similar, but dust-colored, erect rods, and followed beneath by an inconspicuous large area of loosely compacted, erect, dusky scales.”

_Egg._--Approximately hemispherical, the height, however, being greater than in the egg of the preceding genus; reticulated, the lines forming hexagonal figures upon the surface.

_Caterpillar, etc._--Of the stages beyond the egg we know as yet comparatively little. The caterpillar feeds on gra.s.ses.

[Ill.u.s.tration FIG. 169.--Neuration of the genus _Polites_, enlarged.]

(1) =Polites peckius=, Kirby, Plate XLVII, Fig. 24, ?; Fig. 25, ?

(Peck's Skipper).