The Insect World / Being a Popular Account of the Orders of Insects; Together with a Description of the Habits and Economy of Some of the Most Interesting Species

by Louis Figuier

The family of the Lycænidæ comprises a great number of species, some of which we will mention.

The Theclæ, or Hair-streaks, which the French call Petits Porte-queues, on account of the tails which grace the hind margin of the hind wings, inhabit woods, their larvæ feeding, according to the species, on the birch, the oak, the plum-tree, the bramble, &c.

The Thecla betulæ ([Fig. 148]), or Brown Hair-streak, is somewhat rare in this country.

Fig. 149.—Thecla quercus.

The Purple Hair-streak (Thecla quercus, [Fig. 149]), which Geoffroy calls the "Porte-queue bleu à une bande blanche," is not rare in woods; but it is very difficult to catch, as it flies nearly always by couples at the tops of trees. We still further represent here the Black Hair-streak (Thecla pruni, [Fig. 150]), and the Green Hair-streak (Thecla rubi, [Fig. 151]).