Genus SYNCHLOE Boisduval
(The Patch-spots).
Medium-sized or small butterflies, often very gayly colored. Wings generally more produced than in the two foregoing genera, more excavated on outer margin of primaries, and third joint of palpus spindle-shaped, not sharp like the point of a needle, as in Phyciodes and Eresia. The lower discocellular vein in the fore wing is straight and not angled, as in the two last-named genera. Eggs, which are laid in clusters upon sunflowers ( Helianthus), like those of Phyciodes in general appearance; the caterpillars and chrysalids like those of Melitæa. There are many species of the group found in the American tropics, and among them are many curious mimetic insects, which resemble miniature Heliconians and Ithomiids. Three species occur in our southland, one of which we figure.
(1) Synchloë janais (Drury), [Plate XXIV], Fig. 2, ♂ (The Crimson-patch).
The upper side of a small male specimen is well shown in our figure. Below the markings of the upper side are reproduced in the fore wings. Hind wings on this side black at base and on outer third. The basal area crossed by a yellow bar, on middle of wing a broad yellow band, washed externally with crimson, in which are numerous black spots. There is a marginal row of yellow, and a limbal row of white spots parallel to the outer border. Expanse 2.50-3.00 inches.
Ranges through southern Texas, Mexico, and Central America.
Genus GRAPTA Kirby
(The Angle-wings).
PL. XXV
Medium-sized or small butterflies; fore wing strongly acuminate at end of upper radial, deeply excavated on outer and inner border; hind wing tailed at end of third median nervule; cells on both wings closed; palpi heavily scaled beneath. Upper side of wings tawny, spotted with darker, under side mimicking the color of bark and dead leaves, often with a silvery spot about middle of hind wing. The butterflies hibernate in winter. Eggs taller than broad, tapering toward top, which is flat, adorned with a few longitudinal ribs, increasing in height upward, laid in clusters, or strung together, then looking like beads. Larva with squarish head; body cylindrical, adorned with branching spines. Chrysalids with head bifid; prominent tubercle on back of thorax; two rows of dorsal tubercles on abdomen; compressed laterally in thoracic region; color wood-brown or greenish. The caterpillars feed upon plants of the nettle tribe, including the elm and hops, though willows, azalea, and wild currants are affected by different species.
The genus is confined to the northern temperate zone. We have about a dozen species in America, of which five have been selected for illustration.