British Butterfiles Part 16

THE SMALL COPPER b.u.t.tERFLY. (_Chrysopha.n.u.s Phlaeas._)

(Plate XIII. fig. 1.)

We now arrive at a genus characterized by the splendid golden or burnished coppery l.u.s.tre and tint of their wings; of which, however, the present little species is the only one that remains to us, should the "_Large Copper_" be really (as it is feared) extinct.

This little, but lively representative of the genus, is one of our commonest and most widely distributed b.u.t.terflies, flashing about in the sunshine, joining in a dance with the no less lively blues, or settling on the lilac flowers of the scabious, &c., whose soft tones set off to the best advantage the metallic effulgence of this little gem.

The _caterpillar_ feeds on sorrel leaves; is green, with three red stripes.

The _chrysalis_ and caterpillar both resemble in shape those of the Hair-streaks.

The _b.u.t.terfly_ is supposed to be _triple_-brooded, coming out in April, June, and August; and is so common, that no localities need be given.

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THE LARGE COPPER b.u.t.tERFLY. (_Chrysopha.n.u.s Dispar._)

(Plate XIII. fig. 2.)

A few years ago, this was the pride of British entomology, for we were supposed to have the insect entirely to ourselves, it being unknown on the Continent, whilst it literally swarmed in some of the fens of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. Then, from some cause, never satisfactorily explained, it almost suddenly disappeared, and, there is reason to fear, has become quite extinct in this country. Still, hopes are entertained that it may be surviving in some unexplored districts, and that it will again "turn up."

As comparatively very few persons have ever seen this splendid creature on the wing, the following communication from one who _has_, quoted from the _Intelligencer_, will be of interest to those who have not read it in that periodical. It is from the pen of Mr. E. C. F. Jenkins, of Sleaford, Lincolnshire. He writes: "I proceed to give you some account of my own acquaintance with that most beautiful insect, which, some thirty years ago, was so abundant in the unreclaimed fens about Whittlesea Mere, that I never expected to hear of its utter extermination. Its brilliant appearance on the wing in the sunshine I shall never forget, and to watch it sitting on {149} the flower of the _Eupatorium cannabinum_ and show the under sides of its wings, was something ever to be remembered. I once took sixteen in about half an hour on one particular spot, where the above-mentioned plant was very plentiful; but unless the sun was very bright they were very difficult to find. In those days the larva was unknown, and I attribute the disappearance of the b.u.t.terfly to the discovery of the larva, to the unceasing attacks of collectors, and to the burning of the surface-growth of the fens, which is done in dry weather when they are to be reclaimed."

The two s.e.xes of this b.u.t.terfly differ very remarkably in the appearance of the upper surface. This, in the _male_, is of an effulgent coppery colour, narrowly bordered with black, and having a black mark in the centre of each wing. The _female_ is larger, has a redder tinge, with a row of black spots on the front wings, and the hind wings nearly covered with black, excepting a band of coppery red near the margin, extending also more or less distinctly along the courses of the veins. Underneath, both s.e.xes are nearly alike, the hind wing of a general _light blue tint_, with a red band near the margin, and spotted with black.

The _caterpillar_ is green, darker on the back, and paler at the sides, it feeds on the water dock.

The _b.u.t.terfly_ used to be found in July and August, being formerly especially abundant about Yaxley and Whittlesea Mere, and has been taken also at Benacre, Suffolk; and Bardolph Fen, Norfolk. {150}

Various reports of its capture, during the last two or three years, have been published; but they all seem to require confirmation.

This b.u.t.terfly is now generally considered to be a _large_ local variety of the continental one called _Hippothoe_, with which it closely agrees in its markings.

THE BLUES. (Genus _Polyommatus_.)

We now arrive at a numerous genus of elegant and lively little insects, collectively known as the "Blues," though some of them are _not blue_ at all. In their manners, and the localities they inhabit, there is so much in common, that one description of these will answer for nearly every one of them; so that my small available s.p.a.ce will be in great part devoted to pointing out the marks of distinction between the various species, ten in number, several of them closely resembling others in general appearance, and requiring some care in their discrimination.

Their _caterpillars_, which are wood-louse shaped, or _onisciform_, generally feed on low plants, chiefly of the papilionaceous order; and the _b.u.t.terflies_ are found in dry meadows, on downs, and in open heathy places. The first species, _P. Argiolus_, is, however, an exception to the above, both in its food and haunts. {151}

Several species of this genus are often found together. For example, in the Isle of Wight, last August, I took _P. Argiolus_, _Corydon_, _Adonis_, _Alexis_, and _Agestis_, all within about one hour, and a s.p.a.ce of a few yards square in the corner of a field.

THE AZURE BLUE b.u.t.tERFLY. (_Polyommatus Argiolus._)

(Plate XIII. fig. 3, Male; 3 _a_, Female.)

_Colouring_:--Upper side, beautiful lilac blue--the male with a narrow black border (fig. 3), the female with a broad one, sometimes extending over the outer half of the wing (fig. 3 a). Under side, very delicate _silvery blue, almost white_, with numerous small black spots. _No red spots._

_Caterpillar_, green, with darker line on back. Feeds on the flowers of holly, ivy, and buckthorn.

The _b.u.t.terfly_ appears in May, or sometimes in April, and again in August, frequenting _woods_ and hedges, especially where holly and ivy abound. I noticed immense numbers about the ivied walls of Chepstow Castle.

As the name "Azure Blue" is in general use, I have retained it above, but that of "Holly Blue," sometimes {152} applied to it, is preferable, as its colour is much less an azure blue than that of _Adonis_.

Localities:--Common in the south, and found as far north as Durham and the Lake District. Not known in Scotland.

THE BEDFORD BLUE, OR LITTLE BLUE. (_Polyommatus Alsus._)

(Plate XIII. fig. 4, Male; 4 _a_, Female.)

This is the _smallest of British b.u.t.terflies_, specimens being sometimes seen even smaller than those figured.

_Colouring_:--Upper side, dark brown, distinctly powdered with blue near the root of the wing in the _male, without blue in the female_. Under side, _pale grey-drab_, bluish near the base, marked with rows of _black spots_ in pale rings. _No red spots._

_Caterpillar_, green, orange stripe down back, and streaks of same colour on each side.

The _b.u.t.terfly_ is out in May and June, and is sometimes seen much later.

It is generally met with on limestone or chalky soils; and, from a long list of localities I have looked over, it seems to be distributed over England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

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THE MAZARINE BLUE. (_Polyommatus Acis._)

(Plate XIII. fig. 5, Male; 5 _a_, Female.)

_Colouring_:--Upper side, male, _deep purple, or mazarine blue_, with a _border of black_ (fig. 5); female, _dark brown_ (fig. 5 _a_). Under sides of both s.e.xes similar, _pale greyish drab_, tinged at the base with greenish blue, numerous _black spots in white rings_. No red spots.

Though this elegant b.u.t.terfly was frequently met with some years ago, it has lately become one of our rarest species, and I can give no locality where it can be now found. It has been _reported_ as taken lately at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, and somewhere in South Wales, also in other places, but only singly.

Collectors, on visiting any new district, should net all the Blues they are not _quite_ sure are common ones, and this may perchance turn up among them sometimes.

The _caterpillar_ is said to feed on the flower heads of common Thrift (_Armeria vulgaris_).

The _b.u.t.terfly_ may be _looked for_ in July.

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THE LARGE BLUE. (_Polyommatus Arion._)