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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2012
1. An albino male Colias Philodice.
I received this example from Mr. H. E. Wilford, of Batavia, N.Y., last fall. Mr. Scudder, Butt. N.E., p. 1285, says:-“Instances of albinism are confined, so far as we yet know, to the Rhodoceridi” (which term he uses to include Colias, under his name of Eurymus). “and to the female sex.” In colour this male is white, with no tint of yellow; the borders of both wings are of median width, and solid—in all respects like the usual border of the yellow male.
* Under the heading of “Hybrids” in index to Butt. N. E., I find five pages referred to. On p. 283, we read “that hybrids occur between this species (Astyanax,” (i.e. Ursula) “and Archippus” (i.e. Disippus) “is rendered probable by the remark of Mr. Mead, who found an Astyanax on whose upper surface the blue was supplanted by fulvous,” etc.; and also of Grey, who says, Can. Ent., XI., 17, he possesses “a melanitic form of Disippus with all the markings of Ursula on the under surface.” Now these may be cases of hybridity, and may not. The American species of Limenitis are so closely allied that they would seem to be but one remove from a common parent, and as probably as not one of the black species is nearest that parent. These variations in occasional individuals of one species irthe direction of another species may be cases of reversion or mere sports. Hybridity is conjectured, not proven.
On p. 289 et seq., is a discussion of the supposed hybridity by wholesale of Limenitis Poserpina (between males of Arthemis and females of Ursula, and vice versa). I have shown the improbability of this mixing up in Can. Ent., XXIII., p. 49, et seq., and that all the phenomena may be accounted for in a different way, with no violation of probabilities.
On p. 445, we read: “Mr. H. Edwards describes a hybrid between Pyrameis Atalanta and Carye:” “The under side is that of Atalanta.” Mr. Scudder adds here: “Hybrids among butterflies are of extreme rarity.” Cases of copulation between butterflies of different species of the same genus have several times been observed and recorded, even of different genera. I reported one in C. E. recently between two of different families, viz., a Melitæa and Chrysophanus. But I do not know of instances (though such there may be) where such copulation has led to eggs from which the larvæ were bred to pupæ and butterflies produced. In only this way could we be sure of hybridity.
On p. 1212, we read that a Pieris Rapœ paired with a Pieris Protodice (these at least belong to different subgenera) and the female laid eggs which hatched. But the larvæ all died, and so nothing came of this conjunction.
On p. 1363, under Papilio Asterias (Polyxenes), we are told: “No hybrids are known”; after which it is related that “Mr. Edwards possesses an hermaphrodite” specimen, etc. I conclude, knowing Mr. Scudder's habit of thorough research, that no other instances of possible or probable hybridity have been reported among American butterflies.
