Melitæa Tharos. Alis subrotundatis integerrimis, supra fulvis, lineis plurimis transversis limboque communi nigris, posticis utrinque ad extimum strigâ punctorum nigrorum. (Expans. Alar. 1 unc. 6 lin. fere.)
Syn. Papilio (Dan. Festiv.) Tharos, Drury, App. v. 2. Cramer, pl. 169. fig. E. F.
Argynnis Tharossa, Latr. et God. Encycl. Méth. ix. p. 289. No. 61.
Habitat: New York.
Upper Side. Head, body, and abdomen dark brown. Anterior wings varied with dark brown and orange; in some the dark brown occupying the greater part of the wings, in others the orange colour is predominant; but the tips and external edges in all are dark brown; in some two ocelli are seen close to the anterior edge, and near the lower corner; but in others these ocelli are not to be discovered. Posterior wings dark brown and orange. Round the edge is a waved dark border, through which a small waved white line, runs from the anal angle about half way; above this are placed, in a row, five round ocelli, and one oblong, next the anal angle; the pupils being black, and the irides orange colour. Above these is a broad orange-coloured band, and next the body the wings are dark brown. All the wings are entire.
Under Side. Anterior wings, at the base, deep clay-coloured, with some dark brown clouds on the anterior edges and interior angles; but in some these clouds are hardly perceptible. In some a small scolloped line runs along the external edges, from the tips to the lower corners, of a reddish hue; in others this is not to be seen, having a dark brown border in that part. Posterior wings very pale clay-coloured, with a cloud on the middle of the external edges, of a reddish brown; where (in some) is a silver spot like a half moon. The black pupils of the six ocelli, seen on the upper side, are, in some specimens, very small here, and just perceptible; in others they are not to be seen. "In short, nature forms such a variety of this species, that it is difficult to set bounds, or to know all that belongs to it."—Drury.
PLATE XXII.
PAPILIO THOAS.
Plate [XXII]. fig. 1. 2.