Genus Charis Hübner (the Metal-marks)
There are nearly fifty species of this genus found in the American tropics. There are but two species in the eastern parts of the United States, and two others in California. The figures we give will enable any one to tell apart the two species found in the Atlantic region.
(1) Charis cænius (Linnæus), Plate LXXVIII, Fig. 3, ♂ (The Little Metal-mark).
Very small, brighter red on the under side than on upper. Wings both above and below spotted with small steely-blue metallic markings. Common in Florida, ranging northward to Virginia and westward to Texas. Expanse 0.75 inch.
(2) Charis borealis (Grote & Robinson), Plate LXXVIII, Fig. 4, ♂ (The Northern Metal-mark).
Larger than the preceding species. Upper side sooty brown marked with blacker spots and a marginal and submarginal row of coppery red spots. On the under side the wings are light red with a multitude of small black spots arranged in transverse rows. The metallic spots of the upper side reappear below. Expanse 1.15 inch.
Range from New York to Illinois and Michigan and south to the Carolinas. Rare.