Genus Junonia Hübner (Peacock Butterflies)
Medium-sized butterflies with eye-spots on upper side of wings. Neuration almost exactly like that of the genus Pyrameis, save for the fact that the cell of the fore wing is usually, and of the hind wing always, open. Egg broader than high, flattened on top and adorned by ten very narrow and low vertical ribs. Caterpillars cylindrical, longitudinally striped, and with several rows of branching spines. Chrysalis arched on back, curved inwardly in front, and somewhat bifid at head, with the two projections rounded.
There are a score of species, most of which are found in the tropics of the Old World. Three occur in our region, two of which are found in the extreme south. The one which is common we have figured.
(1) Junonia cœnia Hübner, Plate XXXVI, ♂ (The Buckeye).
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.