Genus Euchloë Hübner (the Orange-tips and Marble-wings)
Small butterflies, white in color, with the apex of the fore wings dark brown, marked with spots and bands of orange-yellow or crimson; on the under side the hind wings are generally more or less mottled with green spots and striæ. Eggs spindle-shaped; caterpillar relatively long, with small head; chrysalis with the head greatly produced, wing-cases compressed forming a keel-shaped projection.
(1) Euchloë ausonides (Lucas), Plate C, Fig. 3, ♂, under side (The Western Orange-tip).
On upper side wings at apex tipped with dark fuscous, and lack altogether the orange or red which is characteristic of most of the other species of the genus. On under side fore wings have a very pale greenish tint; hind wings marked with three irregular green bands, more or less broken up, forking in various directions. Expanse 1.65-1.90 inch.
Ranging from Arizona to Alaska and eastward to Colorado.
(2) Euchloë genutia (Fabricius). Plate C, Fig. 4, ♂ (The Falcate Orange-tip).
Readily recognized by the hooked tip of the fore wings. The female has no orange marking on the tip. Single-brooded in the Northern States, but double-brooded in the Carolinas. Expanse 1.30-1.50 inch. The caterpillar feeds on Sisybrium, Arabis, Cardamine, and other cruciferous plants.
Ranges from New England to Texas.
(3) Euchloë sara (Lucas) Plate CI, Fig. 1, ♂ (Lucas’ Orange-tip).
There are numerous varieties of this beautiful insect. On the under side the hind wings are marked with irregular patches of greenish scales having a “mossy” appearance. Expanse 1.75 inch. Occurs in Pacific States.
(4) Euchloë rosa (Edwards), Plate CI, Fig. 2, ♂, under side (The Rosy Marble-wing).
Above pure white without any red at the tip of the primaries; a transapical black band, broken in the middle, and a small black bar closes the cell. Under side well shown in our figure except that there fails to appear a faint rosy tint in the hind wings which is characteristic of all specimens which we have examined. Expanse 1.35-1.40 inch. Found in Texas.
(5) Euchloë hyantis (Edwards), Plate CI, Fig. 3, ♀, under side (Edwards’ Marble-wing).
This species also is without orange at the tip of the fore wings; the wings on the under side are as shown in our figure, heavily marbled on the hind wings with dark green bands and spots. Expanse 1.65-1.85 inch. Habitat California.