The expansion of the wings varies from 2 to 2¼ inches. Above, all the wings are orange-red, spotted and mottled with black. The fore-wings are bronzy towards the base; in the black apex there are five white spots. Near the termen of the hind-wings three of the black spots have blue centres. On the under side of the fore-wings the markings are very similar to those on the upper side, except that there are several additional white blotches, and the orange-red ground colour has a rosy blush towards the base. The hind-wings are very beautifully mottled with an elaborate series of pale brown, purplish-grey, yellowish-brown, and white markings; three of the large spots near the termen have pale blue centres.
I have not yet met with the larva of this insect, neither can I find any record of its having been observed in New Zealand. The following description by Mr. Stainton is taken from a European specimen:[[51]] "The spiny larva is brown with two dorsal and two lateral yellow lines; on the third, fourth, and twelfth segments there are four spines; on the fifth to eleventh segments seven spines, and on the thirteenth two spines; it feeds solitarily in rolled thistle-leaves."
The perfect insect appears in January, February, March and April, hibernated specimens occurring from August until December. It is a much more wary butterfly than either Vanessa gonerilla or V. itea, and can seldom be captured after it has once been disturbed, although it will often return to the same spot several times in succession. In fact, owing to its extreme timidity, its capture is generally attended with some difficulty.
This insect is found almost throughout the entire world. In specimens from the Northern Hemisphere the black spots on the hind-wings have no blue centres, and the butterflies are a little larger than those found in the Southern Hemisphere, otherwise the two insects are exactly alike. The southern form has been called V. kershawii by several writers, but the differences do not appear to me to be sufficiently important to merit a distinct specific name, especially as both forms occur together in South Africa.
This insect has frequently been observed at various places on the European Continent migrating in vast swarms; and it seems probable that its strong migratory instinct may have led to its enormously wide range at the present time.
Genus 3.—JUNONIA.
"Eyes glabrous. Club of antennæ abrupt. Fore-wings, with vein 10 separate. Hind-wings with transverse vein, absent between veins 4 and 5." (Meyrick.)
We have one species in New Zealand.
JUNONIA VELLEDA.
(Plate [XI]., fig. 16, fig. 17 under side.)