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The Meadow Fritillary (Brenthis bellona Bren'this)

Brenthis bellona (Bren'this bel-lo'na) PLATE XXII, FIG. 2, 4 KEATS.

We have in the eastern United States two common species of the smaller fritillaries, which can be distinguished at a glance from the larger species by their size, as in no case does the length of the fore wing exceed one inch. These butterflies represent the genus Brenthis which differs structurally from Argynnis. The most available character for separating the two is the origin of vein R, beyond the apex of the discal cell in Brenthis, and before it in Argynnis.

The smaller fritillaries resemble Argynnis quite closely in the markings of the upper surface of the wings; the under surface not only differs from the pattern of Argynnis, but also shows great diversity among the species. The two common species of our Eastern fauna can be easily separated by the characters given in the table above.

The obscurity of the marginal markings of the lower side of the hind wings in the meadow fritillary (Plate XXII, Fig. 4) is sufficient to distinguish this species.

CATERPILLAR.-Length nearly one inch. Body black, mottled with yellowish or greenish color. The spines arranged in the usual manner of this family are dull brown. It is not unlike the caterpillar of the preceding species except that the pair of spines on top of the first segment are not especially prolonged. Food-plant. Violets. - This little fritillary has put no money in its purse; there is not a single silver-spot, angular or round, to be found on the lower side of its wings.

Neither is it so handsomely ornamented above as as is the following species, lacking the black scalloped border that makes the wings of the silverbordered fritillary SO ornate. It is to be found in wet open places where the mint grows, as its favorite tipple is mint nectar.

It has some queer habits. Many of the butterflies of the first brood appearing early in May evidently feel that they have the whole summer before them and are likely to neglect the important transaction of egg-laying for several weeks. The second brood issues in July and the third in September, but owing to the procrastination of the earlier butterflies the broods are hopelessly mixed. Mr. Scudder has found that while the caterpillars of the last brood winter as they are hatched from the egg, many individuals of the second brood when only half grown turn their backs on the flesh-pots of the caterpillar world, fall into a lethargy and wait until spring to finish their growth; from these come the earliest butterflies. Some of these little anchorites, however, seem to forsake their plan and after two or three weeks of fasting turn to and eat their fill and change to butterflies in September. The butterflies are more numerous in September than during the summer months.

The species occurs in Canada, the northern United States, and in Colorado. The butterfly is found "only about wet meadows and bogs, where it frequents the mint blossoms." (Scudder.)