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The Baltimore (Euphydryas phaeton)
Euphydryas phaeton (Eu-phyd'ry-as pha'e-ton) PLATE XXII, FIG. II The wings above are black, with an outer marginal row of dark reddish-orange spots, and two parallel rows of very pale yellow spots; on the fore wings a third row is more or less represented. The wings expand two inches or more.
CATERPILLAR. -Length one inch. In the hibernating stage when they are usually found, the head and first two segments are shining black and the last three black with two orange bands around each. All the other segments have a ground color of orange with various narrow transverse lines of black. There are three rows of black spiny tubercles along each side and one row down the middle of the back. There are also a pair of smaller spines above each proleg. At this stage the caterpillar is three-eighths inch long. Its colors when fully grown are practically the same as described above. It is gregarious in its habits.
Food-plants. The snakehead and other plants.
This handsome, striking butterfly looks as if it were done in Russian embroidery. The outer border of orange and the regular rows of angular yellowish white spots set against the black background give one the impression of conventional needlework, instead of unconventional nature.
Especially is this true of the lower surface of the wings where the pattern is the more elaborate.
In its habits the butterfly is very local, remaining near one particular spot all its life. It may be found near swampy places from the middle of June until the middle of July, in Ontario and the northern half of the United States.
The habits of the caterpillars are most eccentric.
They live together in a common nest made by weaving together the leaves of their food-plant and portions of the surrounding herbage. After the third molt they cease feeding and remain thus in their tent until the next spring. They do not fall into a lethargy and so endure hunger in a trance. They simply cuddle down and voluntarily fast in the presence of plenty. We kept a brood in a box once during their fast-period.
Every time we opened the box inquiring black heads would be lifted in an impatient manner that said quite plainly "Let us alone, please."
There they waited from midsummer until the snakehead had put forth leaves next spring.
They resumed eating as calmly as if a fast of nine months were no trick at all.