[a]Fig. 146.]—Neuration of the genus Meganostoma.
Egg.—Fusiform, strongly pointed at the apex, broader at the base, the sides marked with a few delicate ridges, between which are numerous cross-lines.
Caterpillar.—Elongate, cylindrical, the head relatively small, striped on either side by a whitish lateral line, each segment having a transverse darker line. They feed upon leguminous plants.
Chrysalis.—Pointed at the head, convex on the abdominal segments on the dorsal side, with a decided hump on the thorax. The wing-covers unite to form a moderately deep carinate, or keel-shaped, projection on the ventral side, not, however, nearly as large as in the genus Catopsilia.
But two species of the genus are found within our fauna, one widely distributed throughout the Southern and Southwestern States, the other confined to the Pacific coast.
(1) Meganostoma eurydice, Boisduval, Plate XXXVI, Fig. 1, ♂; Fig. 2, ♁ (The Californian Dog-face).
Butterfly.—The splendid purplish iridescence of the fore wings of the male is only faintly indicated in the plate. This beautiful insect is peculiar to the Pacific coast, and there is a wide difference in appearance between the sexes. Expanse, 1.80-2.00 inches.
Early Stages.—The caterpillar feeds upon Amorpha californica. The life-history has been accurately described, and the various stages depicted, by Edwards.