84 THE LEPIDOPTERA OF ESSEX.
Common throughout the county, but more so where its normal
food-plant (buckthorn) grows. The bright male is especially notice-
able, and welcome in early spring, generally the first species seen.
Dr. Maclean found eggs deposited on the buds and terminal shoots
of Rhamnus frangula, in the woods near Colchester, end of April,
1856 (J. Curtis ; Proc. E.S.L. May 5th, 1856).
Argynnis selene, Schiff. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, except extreme south ; Asia, north and
west. Absent from Ireland.
Larva—Smoky pink, dark-brown line and double row of black and orange spots
on back, pale pinkish-red stripe at sides ; short ochreous spines, anterior pair
reminding one of snail's horns. Food—Dog violet. Imago—June [? August] ;
hibernates as larva.
In open places in woods. Common in Epping Forest and in
many other restricted localities throughout the county.
Argynnis euphrosyne, L. Pearl-bordered Fritillary.
Geographical Distribution—Europe, North and West Asia. Absent from
Ireland.
Larva—Black, greyish-white stripe on sides ; spines short, on back yellow with
black tips, rest black. Food—Dog violet. Mr. Harwood found one on primrose.
Imago—May and June [? August] ; hibernates as larva.
Common in open places in woods, more so than the last species
(A. selene) and earlier in appearance ; generally distributed. Abounds
in Epping Forest and in most large woods in the county. Interest-
ing aberrations both of this and the last species sometimes occur.
Argynnis latona, L. Queen of Spain Fritillary.
Geographical Distribution — Throughout palaearctic region, except extreme
north. Confined to south and east in England and Ireland, always uncertain and
rare.
Larva—Blackish-grey, whitish stripe on back, brownish-yellow lines on sides ;
spines short, brick-red. Food—Heartsease, violet, sainfoin, and alkanet. Imago
—May to October, mostly in the autumn in Britain ; hibernates as larva.
Very rare and uncertain. Probably an immigrant from the Con-
tinent. Six British specimens only known previous to 1818, com-
mon in that year, according to Haworth ; August and September,
1818, near Colchester (Stephens ; I.B.E. Haust). Colchester (Cur-
tis ; B.E. ; S.M. i. 43). Five, Colchester, 1857 (Harwood ; E.W.I.