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
The Californians differ from their European analogues in the
orange color that fills the space between the margin and the
marginal line on the underside. In the European species this
space always has the same pale tint that forms the ground color.
Then the two waving lines that inclose the submarginal band on
the underside of the hind wings, are not entirely filled by the
orange or fulvous spots as in the European, but have an empty
space between the first and second, and the second and third
veins.
1. _Melitæa Palla_, Boisd.
Alae maris supra fulvae nigro clathratae, feminae nigrae
nonnullis fasciis macularibus gilvis instructae.
Alae posticae subtus gilvae lineis nigris et maculis
aurantiacis ordinariis instructae, necnon serie lunularum
fasciae submarginalis fulvarum a vena tertia inchoantium usque
ad ultimam decurrentium. _Quaeque lunula continet ocellum._
I repeat the diagnosis for the purpose of adding a character
that has been hitherto overlooked but is essential for
separating this species from the following. It is the
eye-spot contained in each of the orange-colored spots of the
submarginal band. It is true that these spots are not in every
specimen equally visible, and often require the help of the
glass to make them visible, but still they are never wanting as
in the following species.
_M. Palla_ is the only one of this type found in the vicinity
of San Francisco, where it is rather common. Nevertheless I
have not yet succeeded in finding the caterpillar, but have
heard from our celebrated entomologist, Mr. Lorquin, that he
has raised this butterfly from a caterpillar found on a species
of _Plantago_.
2. _Melitæa Whitneyi_, Behr, n. sp.
Alae maris supra rubricantes nigro clathratae feminae, fere
eædem, colore tantum dilutiori hinc et illinc paululum
alternantes.
Alae posticae subtus iis _M. Pallae_ similes sed _lunulae
fasciae submarginalis ocellis omnino destitutae_.
At the first look the difference between this species and _M.
Palla_ is striking enough, for the coloration of the upperside
is quite different and the reticulate black marking runs in
much thinner lines and is more regular than in _M. Palla_,
where towards the margin the black markings unite more or less
and cover the ground color. The striking alteration in the
colors of the upper side in the series of _M. Palla_ does not
exist here and the female is sometimes quite like the male.
Sometimes the ground color alternates transversely with a
slightly diluted tint, and for the female this character would
be sufficient. But both sexes differ in the constant absence of
the eye-spots of the submarginal band.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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