British Butterflies: Figures and Descriptions of Every Native SpeciesColeman, W. S. (William Stephen)
Science
British Butterflies: Figures and Descriptions of Every Native Species
Coleman, W. S. (William Stephen)
Butterflies -- Great Britain
The _caterpillar_ is black, with white lines; and the pro-legs red. It
feeds on various species of _viola_.
The _butterfly_ appears first in May, and there is another brood in autumn,
about August. It frequents woods and hedgerows, being met with most
profusely in the south; but its range is extended into Scotland. In Ireland
I believe it is unknown.
* * * * *
{134}
THE SMALL PEARL-BORDERED FRITILLARY. (_Argynnis Selene._)
(Plate XI. fig. 1.)
This butterfly, which is very nearly related to the last, often so closely
resembles it in the marking of the upper surface, that even practised eyes
are sometimes at a loss to distinguish the two, without a reference to the
under side; for on this side do the real distinctive marks lie, and chiefly
on the hind wing. In addition to the silver border and central spots of
_Euphrosyne_, this species has several other silvery or pearly patches
distributed over the hind wing; and the reddish-orange colour adjoining the
silver border in _Euphrosyne_ is exchanged for dark chestnut-brown in
_Selene_. In average size the two insects differ very slightly, though the
name of this expresses an inferior size.
The _caterpillar_ much resembles that of the last, and feeds on
violet-leaves.
The _chrysalis_ is greyish.
The _butterfly_ is double-brooded, appearing first in May and again in
August. It is not so common an insect as _Euphrosyne_, but is met with in
similar situations, and has a range nearly co-extensive with that of the
latter.
* * * * *
{135}
THE GLANVILLE FRITILLARY. (_Melitæa Cinxia._)
(Plate XI. fig. 2.)
Though usually rather abundant where it occurs at all, this insect is one
of the most local of all our butterflies, and I can only find recorded
about a dozen places for it in the country. Of these, the Isle of Wight is
the great metropolis of the insect, and there, in many places round the
coast, numerous colonies have been established.
This butterfly is distinguished from the next (_M. Athalia_), which it very
much resembles, principally by the characters on the under surface.
The hind wing (beneath) is covered with alternate bands of bright
straw-colour and orange-brown, divided by black lines; and possesses in
_the marginal straw-coloured band a row of clear_ BLACK SPOTS. Another row
of black spots crosses the centre of the wing. It will also be observed
that the _hind wings_ have on _their upper surface a row of black spots_
parallel with, and not far from, the margin. The colouring of the upper
side is orange-brown with black markings.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account