Genus Melitæa (the Checker-spots)
Generally small or medium-sized butterflies. Palpi not swollen; the third joint finely pointed; clothed with long hairs. Antennæ about half as long as the costal margin of fore wing, ending with a short, heavy, spoon-shaped knob. The cell in the fore wing is closed, in the hind wing open. The spots and markings are differently arranged from those in Argynnis and Brenthis; the wings are never silvered on the under side. Eggs subconical, flattened on top, fluted on the sides. Caterpillars gregarious when young, then separating; cylindrical, covered with short spines set with diverging hairs; feeding upon the Scrophulariaceæ, Castileja, and allied plants. Chrysalis rounded at the head, with sharply pointed tubercles on back, white or pale gray, adorned with dark markings and orange spots on back.
There are many species in the north temperate zone. Most of the more than thirty species in North America are confined to the western part of the continent, only two being found east of the Mississippi.
(1) Melitæa phaëton (Drury), Plate XIX, ♂ (The Baltimore).
Easily recognized by the figure. One of the larger species, the male having a width of 1.75-2.00, the female of 2.00-2.60 inches. Eggs brownish yellow when laid, changing to crimson, and later to black; deposited in clusters on balmony (Chelone glabra). Hatching in early fall, the little caterpillars spin a web or tent of silk, where they pass the winter. When spring comes, they scatter, fall to feeding, and after the fifth moult turn into chrysalids, from which the butterflies soon emerge.
Found locally in colonies in swampy places, where balmony grows, from Quebec to west of Lake Superior and south to the Carolina mountains.
(2) Melitæa chalcedon Doubleday and Hewitson, Plate XX, Fig. 1, ♂ (Chalcedon).
A common species in northern California, ranging eastward as far as Colorado and Wyoming. One of the larger species, expanding 1.75-2.5 inches. The caterpillar feeds on Mimulus and Castileja. The butterfly is variable, the females in particular differing in the size of the light spots on their wings.
(3) Melitæa macglashani Rivers, Plate XX, Fig. 2, ♀ (Macglashan’s Checker-spot).
One of the largest species in the genus, exceeding in size the two foregoing, having a width of from 1.85-3.00 inches; closely resembling M. chalcedon, but the outer marginal red spots always bigger and the yellow spots paler and larger than in that species. Occurs in Utah, Nevada, and California.
(4) Melitæa harrisi Scudder, Plate XXI, Fig. 1, ♀, under side (Harris’ Checker-spot).
Fulvous on upper side; base of wings and outer margins black, black margins widest at apex. Five fulvous spots in cell of fore wing, two below it; two white spots on apex. Under side of wings well shown in the figure we give. Expanse 1.5-1.75 inch. Eggs lemon-yellow, conoid, flattened at top, ribbed. Adult caterpillar reddish, with a black stripe on middle of back, nine rows of black, branching spines on body. On each segment a black band in front of the spines, and two black-bands behind them. Food-plants Aster and Diplopappus. Chrysalis pale gray or white, blotched with dark brown.
Ranges from Nova Scotia to Lake Superior.
(5) Melitæa perse Edwards, Plate XX, Fig. 3, ♂. Type (The Arizona Checker-spot).
One of the very small species of the genus. The specimen we figure is the type, that is to say, the specimen upon which Edwards founded his description of the species. Expanse ♂, 1.00 inch; ♀, 1.10 inch.
Habitat Arizona and northern Mexico.
(6) Melitæa dymas Edwards, Plate XX, Fig. 4, ♀. Type (The Least Checker-spot).
Even smaller than the preceding, having an expanse of only 0.85 to 1.00 inch. It is much paler on the upper side than M. perse, and the markings are different.
Ranges from southwestern Texas and Arizona to Mexico.