[Illustration FIG. 94.--Neuration of the genus _Synchloë_, enlarged.]
_Egg._--Similar in appearance to the eggs of the genus _Phyciodes_: obovoid, truncated, and slightly depressed at top, rounded at the bottom; the lower three fifths with shallow depressions; the upper part with about twenty-four light blunt-edged ribs. The eggs are laid in clusters upon the leaves of _Helianthus_.
_Caterpillar._--Varying in color, generally black or some shade of red or brown, covered with spines which are arranged as in the genus _Melitæa_ and are thickly beset with diverging bristles. The caterpillar moults four times.
_Chrysalis._--Shaped as in the genus _Melitæa_, light in color, blotched with dark brown or black spots and lines.
The genus is well represented in Central and South America. Some of the species are polymorphic, many varieties being produced from a single batch of eggs. The result has been considerable confusion in the specific nomenclature.
(1) =Synchloë janais=, Drury, Plate XVIII, Fig. 10, ♂ (The Crimson-patch).
_Butterfly._--Fore wings black above, spotted with white; hind wings black above, marked in the center with a broad band of crimson. On the under side the markings of the upper side of the fore wings are reproduced. The hind wings on the under side are black at the base and on the outer third; immediately at the base is a yellow bar; across the middle is a broad yellow band laved outwardly by red, upon which are numerous black spots. There is a marginal row of yellow spots and an inner row of smaller white spots on the limbal area. Expanse, 2.50-3.00 inches.
_Early Stages._--What is known of these is contained in articles published by Mr. William Schaus, "Papilio," vol. iii, p. 188; and by Henry Edwards, "Entomologica Americana," vol. iii, p. 161, to which the reader may refer.
The habitat of the species is Texas, Mexico, and Central America. The insect is very variable in the markings both of the upper and under sides, and several so-called species are only varietal forms of this.
(2) =Synchloë lacinia=, Hübner, Plate XVIII, Fig. 11, ♂; form =crocale=, Edwards, Plate XXIV, Fig. 8, ♂, _under side_; Fig. 9, ♂ (Lacinia).
_Butterfly._--This is a protean species, a dozen or more well-marked varietal forms being produced, many of them from a single batch of eggs. The wings on the upper side are black; both primaries and secondaries are crossed about the middle by a band of spots, generally broken on the primaries and continuous on the secondaries. These spots in the typical form _lacinia_ are fulvous, and the bands are broad. In the form _crocale_ the spots are white, the bands narrow. A great variety of intergrading forms are known and are represented in the author's collection, most of them bred specimens reared from the egg. On the under side the fore wings are marked as on the upper side. The hind wings on the under side are black, with a marginal row of spots, a transverse straight median band, a short basal band, and a costal edging, all bright straw-yellow; in addition there is a submarginal row of small white spots and a crimson patch of variable size at the anal angle. Expanse, ♂, 1.50-2.00 inches; ♀, 1.75-2.75 inches.