Part 62 The Butterfly Book - 🍇GrapeNovel.com

Part 62

_Early Stages._--For a full knowledge of these the reader may consult the pages of "The b.u.t.terflies of New England." The caterpillar feeds on oaks and leguminous plants of various species.

This insect ranges from Quebec to Florida, and westward as far as Arizona, where it appears to be common.

(9) =Thanaos petronius=, Lintner, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 7, ? (Petronius'

Dusky-wing).

_b.u.t.terfly._--Allied in size to the preceding species, but the translucent spots of the transverse band are not, as in that species, continued toward the inner margin, but terminate at the first median nervule. The outer third of the primaries is pale, the inner two thirds very dark. The under side of the wings of the male is uniformly dusky, slightly, if at all, marked with lighter spots. The under side of the wings of the female is less distinctly marked with light spots than is the case in allied species. Expanse, 1.50-1.75 inch.

_Early Stages._--Unknown.

The species has thus far been found only in Florida.

(10) =Thanaos horatius=, Scudder, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 15, ? (Horace's Dusky-wing).

_b.u.t.terfly._--Smaller than _T. juvenalis_, which it resembles in the long transverse series of translucent spots. It is, however, paler on the upper side of the wings, and more profusely mottled on the hind wing both above and below, though there is considerable variation in this regard. Expanse, 1.65 inch.

_Early Stages._--The caterpillar probably feeds on the _Leguminosae._ We know very little about the life-history of the species.

The b.u.t.terfly ranges from Ma.s.sachusetts to Texas.

(11) =Thanaos naevius=, Lintner, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 3, ? (Naevius'

Dusky-wing).

_b.u.t.terfly._--This insect is closely allied to _T. petronius_, but the translucent spots on the fore wing are smaller, and there is generally a light spot near the costa before the three subapical translucent spots.

_Early Stages._--Unknown.

The habitat of this species is the region of the Indian River, in Florida.

(12) =Thanaos pacuvius=, Lintner, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 9, ? (Pacuvius'

Dusky-wing).

_b.u.t.terfly._--Small, with the fore wings on the upper side rather regularly banded with dark brown upon a lighter ground. The hind wings are almost solid black above, with the fringes toward the a.n.a.l angle pure white. Expanse, 1.15-1.30 inch.

_Early Stages._--Unknown.

This species occurs in Colorado, Mexico, and Arizona.

(13) =Thanaos c.l.i.tus=, Edwards, Plate XLV, Fig. 8, ? (c.l.i.tus).

_b.u.t.terfly._--Larger than the preceding species. The hind wings are solidly deep black, fringed broadly with pure white. The fore wings of the male are dark, of the female lighter. Expanse, 1.60-1.75 inch.

_Early Stages._--Unknown.

The habitat of this species is Arizona and New Mexico.

(14) =Thanaos funeralis=, Lintner, Plate XLVIII, Fig. 12, ? (The Funereal Dusky-wing).

_b.u.t.terfly._--Closely allied to the preceding species, of which it may be only a smaller varietal form. Expanse, 1.35 inch.

_Early Stages._--Unknown.

_Funeralis_ occurs in western Texas and Arizona.

The genus _Thanaos_ is one of the most difficult genera to work out in the present state of our knowledge of the subject. The species are not only obscurely marked, but they vary in the most extraordinary manner.

Except by a microscopic examination of the genital armature, which can be carried on only when the student possesses considerable anatomical knowledge and an abundance of material, there is no way of reaching a satisfactory determination in many cases.

COLLECTIONS AND COLLECTORS

In almost every community there is to be found some one who is interested in insects, and who has formed a collection. The commonest form of a collection is exceedingly primitive and unscientific, in which a few local species are pinned together in a gla.s.s-covered box or receptacle, which is then framed and hung upon the wall. Almost every village bar-room contains some such monstrous a.s.semblage of insects, skewered on pins, in more or less frightful att.i.tudes. As evidencing an innate interest in the beauties of natural objects, these things are interesting, but show a want of information which, as has been already pointed out, is largely due to a lack of literature relating to the subject in this country. In many of the schools of the land small collections, arranged more scientifically, have been made, and some of the collections contained in the high schools of our larger towns and cities are creditable to the zeal of teachers and of pupils. There is no reason why every school of importance should not, in the lapse of time, secure large and accurately named collections, not only of the insects, but of the other animals, as well as the plants and minerals of the region in which it is located. Every high school should have a room set apart for the use of those students who are interested in the study of natural history, and they ought to be encouraged to bring together collections which should be properly arranged and preserved. The expense is not great, and the practical value of the training which such studies impart to the minds of young people is inestimable.

The great systematic collections in entomology in the United States are for the most part in the hands of the museums and universities of the country. The entomological collections of the United States government at Washington are large and rich in interesting material. The collections possessed by Harvard College and the Boston Society of Natural History are extensive; so are also the collections of the American Museum of Natural History, the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, and those of the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh. The collection in the latter inst.i.tution is altogether the largest and most perfect collection of the b.u.t.terflies of North America in existence, and covers also very largely the b.u.t.terflies of the world, there being about twelve thousand species of b.u.t.terflies represented, including representatives of all known genera.

The formation of great collections has always had a charm for those who have possessed the knowledge, the time, and the means to form them; and the ranks of those who are engaged in the study of b.u.t.terflies include many of the most famous naturalists, among them not a few of n.o.ble rank.

One of the most enthusiastic collectors in Europe at the present time is the Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia. The Nestor among German collectors is Dr. Staudinger of Dresden. In France M. Charles Oberthur of Rennes is the possessor of the largest and most perfect collection on French soil.

In England there are a number of magnificent collections, aside from the great collection contained in the British Natural History Museum. These are in the possession of Lord Walsingham, the Hon. Walter Rothschild, Mr. F.D. G.o.dman, Mr. Herbert Druce, Mr. H.J. Elwes, and others, all of whom hold high rank in the domain of scientific research.

There are many men who make the collecting of natural-history specimens a business. They are among the most intrepid and indefatigable explorers of the present time. The late Henry W. Bates and Mr. Alfred Russel Wallace were in early life leaders in this work, and we are indebted to their researches for a knowledge of thousands of species. Two of the most successful collectors who have followed in their footsteps are Mr.

Herbert H. Smith and Mr. William Doherty, both of them Americans; Mr.

Smith one of the most enthusiastic and successful explorers in South and Central America, Mr. Doherty the most diligent explorer of the Indo-Malayan Region. The story of the travels and adventures of these two men is a tale full of romantic interest, which, alas! has been by neither of them fully told.

SUBFAMILY PAMPHILINae

"Into the sunshine, Full of light, Leaping and flashing From morn till night."

RUSSELL.

The _Pamphilinae_ found in our fauna fall into two groups.

_Group A._--The antennae are not greatly hooked and generally sharply pointed; the palpi have the third joint short and inconspicuous; the cell of the fore wing is always less than two thirds the length of the costa; the lower radial is somewhat nearer to the third median nervule than to the upper radial. The hind wing is often lobed. The lower radial in the hind wing is generally lacking. The male never has a costal fold on the fore wings, and but rarely is provided with a discal stigma.

But three genera belonging to this section of this subfamily are found in our fauna, namely, the genera _Amblyscirtes_, _Pamphila_, and _Oarisma_.

_Group B._--The antennae are sometimes curved, but never hooked, the palpi having the third joint minute, sometimes horizontally porrected.

The cell of the fore wing is less than two thirds the length of the costa. The lower radial arises much nearer to the third median nervule than to the upper radial. The hind wing is elongated, but never tailed.

The male is never provided on the fore wing with a costal fold, but is in many genera furnished with a discal stigma on the fore wing. When in a state of rest the majority of the species elevate their fore wings and depress their hind wings, an att.i.tude which is peculiar to the insects of this group.

Genus AMBLYSCIRTES, Scudder

_b.u.t.terfly._--The antennae are short, with a moderately thick club, crooked at the end; the third joint of the palpi is bluntly conical, short, and erect. The costa of the fore wing is straight, slightly curved inwardly before the apex. The neuration is represented in the cut.

_Egg._--Hemispherical.

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