CETHOSIA CYANE.
Plate [IV]. fig. 1.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.
Genus. Cethosia, Fabr. Latr. et God. Papilio (Nymphal. Phalerat.), Drury.
Cethosia Cyane. Alis dentatis nigris, lineâ communi tenuissimâ angulatâ marginali, anticis fasciâ posticis disco (nigro punctato) albis. (Expans. Alar. unc. 3½.)
Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Cyane, Drury, App. v. 2. Herbst. Pap. tab. 248. fig. 3. 4. Cramer, Pap. 25. pl. 295. fig. C. D. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 115. No. 352. Latr. et God. Encycl. Méthod. ix. p. 247. (Cethosia Cy.)
Habitat: Bengal (Drury). India (Fabr.).
Upper Side. The anterior wings are dentated and black: the anterior edge of a dirty olive brown; in the middle whereof a broad white bar arises, and runs transversely towards the middle of the external edge, where, stopping at the distance of a quarter of an inch, it forms, with some faint white spots, a black border along the external edge, whereon is a row of narrow white angulated marks. The posterior wings, which are deeply dentated, are white; with a deep black border running along the external edge, whereon is a row of white angulated marks, as on the superior wings, and above each of them is a series of short white streaks, running parallel with the edge of the wing. Above these are six round black spots, one situated between each nerve, and over them six more smaller, and fainter; several more spots being dispersed on the white parts of the wings, some very distinct, and others very faint.
Under Side. The anterior wings are red, which colour extends from the base nearly half along the wing, and which, towards the posterior edge, softens to a cream-colour. On this red ground are some short black lines, with blue ones between them, extending between the two principal nerves. The external edge has a black margin; whereon the white angular marks are seen more distinctly, being here shaped like beards of arrows. Above this border, near the external angle, are two oval black spots, or eyes, whose irides are white, having between them and the black border a row of small, round, black spots, placed close together. The white bar described on the upper side is also seen here. Several more black spots, of various forms, are dispersed on different parts, particularly a group in the centre of the wing. The inferior wings are white, with pale cream-coloured clouds; but next the base are white, blue, and red, with black streaks, from whence a shade of blue and brown runs along the anterior edge to the external angle, where a black border commences, whereon are angular white marks, like arrow beards or points. This border continues to the abdominal corners, where two small, curved, black lines meet together, and form an arch. Above the black border is a row of small black spots, and above them are six larger, with several others, of different shapes and sizes, dispersed on various parts of the wings.
The insect described in the Encyclopédie Méthodique, from Malabar, differs from that figured by Drury, in having the disc of the posterior wings of a fulvous buff colour, and the spots larger, with the markings at the base of this pair of wings, on the under side fulvous instead of blue. Is this to be regarded as a variety, the opposite sex, or a distinct species?