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The Red-Spotted Purple (Basilarchia astyanax)
Basilarchia astyanax (Bas-i-lar'chi-a as-ty'a-nax) PLATE XXVII, FIG. 3 The upper surface of the wings is velvety indigo-black There are three rows of blue or tinged with blue or green. green spots on the outer third of the hind wings; the spots of the inner row vary greatly in width in different individuals. On the lower surface there is a reddish orange spot in cell R + M of the fore wings, and one on the medial cross-veins; on the hind wings there are two orange spots similarly situated, a third at the base of cell R₁, and a row of seven spots just within a double row of submarginal blue or green spots. CATERPILLAR.-Length one and one-half inches. The In body is naked and humpy and bears various tubercles. color it is mottled and streaked and blotched with brown and green and buff. The large tubercles on the second thoracic segment are thorny, and dark in color.
Food-plants. Plum, thorn-apple, and other rosaceæ. However, it is a general feeder. For beautiful and rich iridescence nothing can surpass the upper side of the wings of the redspotted purple when it is flitting about in the sunshine. The front wings are velvety, reddish at the tips and purple black at the middle. The hind wings show a dark metallic green, while the triple rows of spots near the edge take on various hues of blue and green and purple. The under side of the wings is olive brown with rather con- 2 3 Plate XXVII. ventional markings of red spots. It is somehow surprising to find the wings so rich above and so smooth and ordinary beneath; it reminds one of the right and wrong side of velvet. This sovereign loves shady roads, and is addicted to the refuse of the road, which, according to butterfly standards, is anything but waste material.
This species occurs throughout nearly the whole of the eastern United States. But it is not found in the northern parts of New England and New York.
The butterfly the ancient Grecians made The soul's fair emblem, and its only name.
COLERIDGE.