Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Volume III, 1863-1867Various
Science
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, Volume III, 1863-1867
Various
California Academy of Sciences -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
Alae anticae subtus aurantiacae apicem versus luteae. Macula
disci et fascia intermedia infracta luteae, haec intus nigro
marginata. Alae posticae subtus luteae, linea transversa
undulata divisae; A radice usque ad lineam transversam brunneo
signatae et prope mediam lineam transversam umbra obscura
indutae; quae umbra extenditur usque ad seriem punctorum.
Lunula inter quintam costam et sextam candida, aucta et umbra
amplexa.
This species is very common in different localities, especially
on marshy places, where Hemizonia abounds. Seems to be peculiar
to the lower regions, and produces several annual generations.
4. _M. pratensis_, Behr, n. sp.
Alae supra nigrae fasciis macularibus fulvis instructae.
Maculae fasciae submarginalis alarum posticarum singulae
singula puncta nigra gerentes.
Alae anticae subtus ochraceae maculis pallidioribus hinc et
illinc signatae. Marginem versus posticam extant aliquot
maculae nigrae. Alae posticae subtus hepaticae lineis
undulatis, maculis, umbris serieque punctorum cunctis aeque
brunneis instructae. Lunula submarginalis vix pallidior et
umbra amplectente tantum e reliqua ala discerni potest.
This species is found on grassy hillsides and is common enough
in some localities near San Francisco. Several generations are
found from spring to the beginning of the rainy season.
Before I had a sufficient series of these nearly allied species
in my possession, I considered them local varieties of one
single species. Afterwards I had an idea that two of them,
_M. collina_ and _pratensis_ might be seasonal varieties or
alternating generations, like for instance _Arachnia Prorsa_,
whose vernal generation _A. Levana_ was for a long time
considered another species. But according to my observations
continued through several years, these species are not confined
to certain seasons, but are to be found throughout the dry
season. If they were alternating generations of the same insect
the different forms would be found only at certain seasons; but
such is not the case.
_M. montana_ is very variable but never approaches to the
characters of the other three species. The rest are as constant
as a species can be, and in a long series of duplicates
from different localities I do not find anything like an
intermediate form.
The four species of this type agree in the following points:
1. A row of dots between the first and second transverse lines
of the hindwings, in the space that represents in these species
the submarginal fascia. This row is clearly visible on both
sides.
2. The marginal lunula between the fifth and sixth vein is
perceptibly augmented on both sides, and on the other side is
frequently of lighter color and always surrounded by a deeper
shade.
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