The Large Copper Butterfly (Polyommatus Dispar), [Plate XII.], Fig. 7.—I am afraid there is now only one British locality where this fine butterfly can be successfully pursued. Strange to say it is not one of the few places where it was found so abundantly a century ago. Neither is it any use going after it there with a net, or any other of the usual appliances.
The correct place and method are no great secret, being, as it is, in the very heart of London—to wit, Stevens’ Auction Rooms, King Street, Covent Garden. A cheque-book there is a more reliable, and, if properly handled, sure means of bringing a specimen into one’s collection. I don’t suppose there is anybody now alive who remembers having seen the Large Copper flitting about its native Fen lands so long ago as 1850 or thereabout, for the precise date is difficult to discover. The Large Copper has become as extinct as the dodo or the great auk. Fortunately, many specimens are still to be seen in old and well-preserved collections, and not a few of these have already passed through the hands of the auctioneer. There are various Continental “Coppers” which more or less resemble the “dear departed.” And it is as well that the points of difference should be well known, as these foreigners can be had for a few pence. Dispar sells at as many pounds.
The male and female differ very much from each other, the male being a clear scarlet copper tint, with black margins and a small black spot in the centre of the fore-wing. The female is larger and not so brilliant; the black marginal band on the fore-wing is broader, and has a row of black spots in addition to the central black spot. The hind-wings are much dingier, except for a brighter band round the outer margin next the black outline. It was out in July and August in the Fen lands of the south-eastern counties. Various causes have been assigned as the reason for its disappearance. Draining of, and burning rubbish on, these wastes, and the constant persecution the insect had to endure from mercenary natives who, once they discovered there was money in it—and the more money, doubtless, the scarcer it became—all lent their quota of assistance towards finally exterminating this fine butterfly.
The Small Copper Butterfly (Polyommatus Phlæas), [Plate XII.], Fig. 8.—Less in size but hardly less brilliant in colour, the Small Copper is not likely to share the fate of its larger relative. A lively, restless, little imp it is, and has well earned the title of “the flea,” by which it is known in some districts.
As it is the “only Copper we possess now,” a detailed description is unnecessary, but I would direct the young collector’s attention to the fact that there are some nice variations of this common little species apt to be overlooked, perhaps the most striking being a white form, and another and commoner one having a row of blue spots on the upper surface of the hind-wings.
The caterpillar feeds on various species of Sorrel, and is green with three red lines.
There are several broods in the year, but it is generally more abundant in the autumn. Found everywhere.
The Long-Tailed Blue (Lycæna Bætica), [Plate XII.], Fig. 9. —While there is no doubt this lovely little blue has been repeatedly taken on our shores, the fact remains that we must still regard it as an occasional visitor only. It may, and we all hope it will, yet be classed amongst our resident fauna. From what we know of it, it seems to have a more than usually wide range; it is recorded for Europe, Africa, Western Asia, East Indies, and Australia. The male is a deep blue, with two black spots just above the tails; the female shows more brown. The under side is quite different from that of any of our native blues, being barred and spotted in white, and two shades of fawn-brown, with two green spots near the tail. A lookout for it may be kept all along our south coast during July and August.
The Silver-Studded Blue (Lycæna Ægon), [Plate XII.], Fig. 10. —In all of the group to which this insect belongs, numbering about ten species, the males differ very much in colour, especially on the upper surface, from the females. The males are nearly always blue of various shades, and the females brown and blue in varying proportions.