(_a_) =Satyrus alope=, form =nephele=, Kirby, Plate XXVI, Fig. 3, ♂; Fig. 4, ♀, _under side_; Plate IV, Figs. 7, 8, _chrysalis_ (The Clouded Wood-nymph).
This varietal form of _S. alope_, long held to be a species, but now known to be a dimorphic variety, is characterized by the partial or entire suppression of the yellow band on the primaries and the tendency of the eye-spots to become obsolete. It is the Northern form of the species, and is found in Canada, New England, and on the continent generally, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, north of the latitude of central New York and southward on the mountain masses of the Appalachian ranges.
(_b_) =Satyrus alope=, form =olympus=, Edwards, Plate XXVI, Fig. 9, ♂; Fig. 10, ♀, _under side_ (Olympus).
This form of _S. alope_ is common in the region west of the Mississippi. The males are a trifle darker and the females a shade paler than in the form _nephele_, which they closely approximate, and from which it would almost be impossible to separate them without a knowledge of the country whence they come.
(_c_) =Satyrus alope=, form =ariane=, Boisduval, Plate XXVI, Fig. 5, ♂; Fig. 6, ♀, _under side_ (Ariane).
In _ariane_ we have a decidedly dwarfed form, in which the males and the females are quite dark. The ocelli, though small, are persistent, well defined, rarely showing a tendency to disappear completely. This form is found in British America, Oregon, and the northwestern portion of the United States.
(_d_) =Satyrus baroni=, Plate XXVI, Fig. 15, ♂; Fig. 16, ♂, _under side_ (Baron's Satyr).
This is another form, dark on the upper side and reddish below, in which the ocelli on the under side show a tendency to become obsolete, and in some specimens are wholly wanting.
There are other varietal forms, one of which, named _boöpis_ by Behr, is commonly found on the Pacific coast in northern California, Oregon, and Washington, and the ocelli, while prominent on the upper side of the wings, are almost obsolete below.
_Early Stages._--The early stages of _S. alope_ (typical form) and its variety _nephele_ have been well described by several authors. The caterpillar feeds on grasses. There is, however, a fine field for the entomologist to work out the causes of the rather remarkable variation to which the species is subject.