Zoological Illustrations/VolI-Pl40
HESPERIA Cynisca.
Generic Character.—See Pl. 28.
Specific Character.
- Hesp. (Div. 2.) alis nigrescente-fuscis, subtus obscurioribus; anticis supra fasciâ flavâ trifissâ (in feminis albâ); posticis subtus immaculatis, castaneo-fuscis, margine exteriore flavo.
- Hesp. (Div. 2.) Wings blackish-brown; anterior above with a three-cleft yellow band, which in the female is white; posterior beneath immaculate, chesnut-brown, margined externally with yellow.
The different sexes of this insect will appear so strikingly dissimilar to those who are familiarised only with the nice distinctions that separate the species of European Lepidoptera, that this affinity by such may be doubted; nevertheless, observations in their native country, and the close examination of several specimens, will we are persuaded confirm the fact.
The male insect is distinguished (like all the Hesperidæ) by having the eyes considerably larger, and the anterior wings more narrowed than in the other sex: in this species the bands on their wings assume the form of three yellowish spots, adjoining which, on the inner side, is a semi-lunular villous mark, an almost constant indication (where it exists) of this sex. The straw-coloured border beneath the posterior wings is narrower and darker than in the female; but in both it forms a slender marginal fringe on the upper surface. Legs deep rufous; antennæ black; the club beneath and lunule round the eye straw-coloured.
Inhabits South Brazil, but is not common.