"Bright butterflies Fluttered their vans, azure and green and gold."
Sir Edwin Arnold.
Butterfly.—Generally small, for the most part blue on the upper side of the wings, white or gray on the under side, variously marked with spots and lines.
What has been said in reference to the subdivision of the genus Thecla may be repeated in regard to the genus which we are considering. It has been in recent years subdivided by writers who have given close attention to the matter, and these subdivisions are entirely defensible from a scientific standpoint. Nevertheless, owing to the close resemblance which prevails throughout the group, in this book, which is intended for popular use, the author has deemed it best not to separate the species, as to do so presupposes a minute anatomical knowledge, which the general reader is not likely to possess.
Egg.—The eggs are for the most part flattened, turban-shaped (see p. 4, Fig. 7).
Caterpillar.—Slug-shaped, as in the preceding genera, feeding upon the petals and bracts of flowers, or upon delicate terminal leaves.
Chrysalis.—Closely resembling the chrysalids of the preceding genera.
This genus is very widely distributed in the temperate regions of both hemispheres. Many of the species are inhabitants of the cold North or high mountain summits, while others are found in the tropics.
(1) Lycæna fuliginosa, Edwards, Plate XXX, Fig. 16, ♂, under side (The Sooty Gossamer-wing).
Butterfly.—Dark gray on the upper side in both sexes. On the under side the figure in the plate gives a correct representation of the color and markings. Expanse, 1.10 inch.