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The Zebra

Apostraphia charithonia (Ap-o-stra'phi-a char-i-tho'ni-a) PLATE XXXII, FIG. I Wings black, banded with lemon yellow, as follows: On the front wings a curved band arises at the base, follows the cubitus, and extends about three-fourths the length of cell Cu₁; a second band arises near the costal margin, crosses the apex of cell R + M, and extends to near the end of cell M, ; there is a third transverse band near the apex of the wing. On the hind wings there is a broad band parallel with the front wings when they are spread, a submarginal row of about fifteen spots, and a row of dots on the outer margin near the inner angle. Expanse of wings two and one-half to four inches. CATERPILLAR.-Greenish white in the earlier stages and porcelain white in the last stage, with transverse markings of brown or black spots and six longitudinal rows of long, black, bristly spines.

Food-plant. Passion-vine.

The zebra with its long, narrow, black, velvety wings banded with lemon yellow is indeed a tropical-looking creature. On the wings beneath, the markings above are repeated in lemon and cream-white with the addition of a peach-blossom colored blotch at the tip of the hind wing and some vermilion spots on both wings near the bases. Its pallid, spiny caterpillars are found on the passion-flower from Florida to South Carolina; in their later stages they hide during the day and feed by night. The butterflies come out of the protecting forest in the morning to enjoy the hot sunshine in the open field, but when disturbed they take to the woods again with all expedition; at night they rest in flocks on the Spanish moss or on the dead twigs, where they hang head up with wings closed over the back.

The chrysalis is a peculiar-looking object and very pretty. It is angular in outline, and has two leaf-shaped projections on its head and numerous points and spines tipped with gilt. The maiden zebra is much wooed, for her lovers cling in numbers to her chrysalis before she emerges, anxiously waiting her début into the winged world. The