Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Swains.
Genus. Argynnis, Fabr. Latr. et Godart. Argyreus, Scop. Dryades, Hubn.
Argynnis Phalanta. Alis subdentatis, fulvis nigro maculatis, posticis subtus ad extimum argenteo-purpurascentibus, ocellis aliquot fulvis. (Expans. Alar. 3 unc.)
Syn. Papilio (Nymph. Phal.) Phalanta, Drury, App. v. 2. Fabr. Ent. Syst. III. 1. p. 149. Latr. et God. Enc. Méth. ix. p. 259. Papilio Culumbina, Cram. pl. 337. D. E. (♂) pl. 238. A. B. (♀).
Habitat: China (Drury). East Indies (Fabricius, &c.). Isle Mauritius (I. O. W.).
Upper Side. Thorax and abdomen of a dirty clay colour. Anterior wings of a fine deep clay colour, the tips being of a dirty black; which colour is continued, by irregular and indented marks, along the external edges, almost to the interior angle, where are several clay-coloured spots and marks. Above these are four round spots, running obliquely toward the shoulders. Several other black marks are dispersed on different parts of the wings, particularly near the anterior edges. Posterior wings deep clay-coloured, with two black waved or indented lines, running along the external margin. Over these are four small, round, black spots, placed two and two. Above these, nearer the shoulders, are several small, black, oblong spots, placed irregularly. The wings, particularly the posterior pair, are a little dentated.
Under Side. Anterior wings, at the base and along the posterior edges, clay-coloured. Near the interior angle of each wing is a round black spot; several others which are very small, oblong, and fainter, being scattered about on different parts. Posterior wings, at the base, fainter clay-coloured. About half the wings, from the external edges, are of a blueish clay colour, which is separated from the other part by a faint waved line of a reddish hue. Two other faint waved lines also run along the external edges, answering to the black ones on the upper side; and the four black spots seen there are very small on this side, being but just perceptible.
MELITÆA PHAETON.
Plate [XXI]. fig. 3. 4.
Order: Lepidoptera. Section: Diurna. Family: Nymphalidæ, Sw.