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The Banded Hair-Streak (Thecla calanus Thec'la)

Thecla calanus (Thec'la cal'a-nus) PLATE XXXIV, FIG. I, 2, 3 The upper surface of the wings is dark brown or blackish brown. There is sometimes an orange spot in cell Cu, of the hind wings, and a more or less distinct bluish white line extending from vein Cu, to the anal angle of the same wings. The under surface is blackish slate brown, nearly as dark as the upper surface; there is a dark bar edged with bluish white at the end of cell R + M of both wings, and just outside of the middle a row of small, dark, blue-edged spots, which form an almost continuous line; and a submarginal series of black crescents, edged within with white. Expanse of wings one and one-fifth inches.

The larva feeds on oak and hickory. Excepting the southern portions of the Gulf States, the species is found throughout our territory east of the Rocky Mountains and in the southern part of Canada. It is our most common species of Thecla.

CATERPILLAR. - Slug-shaped; length one-half inch; bright grass green in color marked with lighter and darker lines 10 7 4 XXXX ১৯ Plate XXXIV. 11 8 5 12 9 6 3 running lengthwise of the body. Sometimes it is purple brown instead of grass green in color.

Food-plants. Oak, hickory, and butternut.

This is our commonest Thecla, and may be found almost anywhere in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains except in southern Florida. It is frisky and erratic in its flight; it abjures civilization, and frequents various forest openings, being especially fond of scrub-oak clearings. From the West comes the report that in the spring it shows a liking for the odoriferous skunk-cabbage, a plant which seems to have more friends among insects than among folks. Though dull in color, the banded hair-streak has long, graceful white-tipped tails on the hind wings, and has a most elegant pattern of brown and white fringe just at the inner base of the longest tail.

On the grayish lower surface of the wings are black spots margined with white; a blue patch flanked with orange on the inner angle of the hind wing makes us realize that the Theclas are artistic even though modest in their garb.

The male of this Thecla shows especially well the oval patch of pale brown scales on the upper surface of each front wing which is composed of scent scales, and which form his greatest attraction for his perfume-loving lady Thecla.

The slug-like caterpillars eat holes in the leaves.

The species is single-brooded, and winters as a newly hatched caterpillar.

Beneath the summer sky From flower to flower let him fly; 'Tis all that he wishes to do.

WORDSWORTH.