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The Striped Hair-Streak (Thecla liparops Thec'la)

Thecla liparops (Thec'la lip'a-rops) PLATE XXXIV, FIG. 4, 5, 6 The upper surface of the wings is uniform blackish brown; there is sometimes an obscure orange spot in cell Cu, of the hind wings. The lower surface is dark brown, with a delicate rufo-purplish tinge; the outer margin is edged with a narrow white line; and the surface of each wing is crossed by from three to five irregular white stripes, the number varying in the different parts of the wing. The spot at the end of the discal cells and the extra mesial band are very wide, and only slightly darker than the remainder of the wing; and the spots of the extra mesial band are discontinuous. Expanse of wings one and one-fifth inches.

CATERPILLAR.-Slug-shaped; length one-half inch; body grass green with faint oblique stripes of yellow along the sides.

Food-plants. Shadbush; blueberry; oak, and willow.

This dark, brown Thecla is never common, although it occurs almost everywhere in the United States east of the Rockies and north of the Gulf States. The tails of the hind wings are not very long, and sometimes the outer one is just indicated by a point. The many white hairstreaks that cross the lower side of the wings give the butterfly its name. It is always found near thickets, and it has a lively, nervous flight. The caterpillar may attack the pulp of the fruit as well as the leaves of its food-plant. The first butterflies appear in July and disappear after a short time. It is single-brooded, and winters as an egg.