The spots of the upper side reappear on the lower side, but are much smaller, especially on the hind wings. Expanse 2.00-2.25 inches.
The larva feeds most commonly on plantains ( Plantago), snapdragons ( Antirrhinum), and Gerardia.
Very common in the Southern States, ranging as far north as New England, west to the Pacific, and south into South America.
Genus ANARTIA Doubleday.
PL. XXXVII
Medium-sized butterflies, having a weak, hovering flight, and keeping near the ground. Palpi have the second joint thick, the third joint tapering, lightly clothed with scales. Fore wings rounded at apex, the outer and inner margins lightly excavated, cell closed by a feeble lower discocellular, which often is wanting, thus leaving the cell open. Outer margin of hind wings sinuous, produced at end of third median nervule, cell open. First and second subcostal nervules in fore wing fuse with costal.
There are four species of this genus, one of which occurs in the United States, the rest being found in tropical America.
(1) Anartia jatrophæ (Linnæus), [Plate XXXVII], ♂ (The White Peacock).
The figure we give will readily serve to identify this insect, which occurs in Florida and Texas, and ranges thence southward to Argentina. Expanse 1.75-2.00 inches.