Last year I had a chance to pick up a piece of Entomology
memorabilia from ebay. It is a "collectors kit" which was
produced by NSI (Natural Science Industries) which is just
another name for The Butterfly Company which existed in
New York throughout the 1960's, 1970's, and up to the mid-
1980's. Many clients here in the U.S. purchased specimens
from there for years.

The Butterfly Company also sold a limited supply of various
insect supplies, nets, books, and this all-in-one (kit) which
was offered on a supplemental page in their catalog.



I saw this offered last year and purchased it as I never purchased
it when I could have (back in the day). It is a complete kit
and I marveled at the fact that it had sat around (likely) somebody's
attic or basement for 47 years ! It is completely original.

I quickly noticed some butterfly specimens present (which you
can see in the picture). All were in (clear) cellophane envelopes
and sealed into one neat pack. Of coarse, the movements of
the other supplies contained within the box contributed to most
all of the butterflies being (largely) damaged or crushed EXCEPT
for one....

I took this singular un-damaged butterfly to my relaxer and spread
it easily a day later. This particular kit has a 1975 date on it in small
print. So, that puts the specimen to (at least) 47 years of age when
it was initially enclosed in the kit and the time I purchased it last
year.

So, after some 47 years of a "cellophane" prison this butterfly once
again gets to show it colors and beauty to be appreciated.

This is Melanitis leda ismene (as listed on the back of the sealed packet).

Underside


It still has all its legs present....

Upperside



Yes, hardly the best example (topside) !
Yes, no specific data attached to it either.

However, "special" because in all the movements of that kit
over all those years it managed to STAY intact for someone
to "free-it" one day and admire it for its longevity and simple
beauty.

Paul K wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 5:53 pm
Interestingly Speyeria is treated as Argynnis by some websites. They are in Heliconinae subfamily so the closest would be Boloria as it is in the same Argynni tribe and then would be Heliconius and other.
Euphydras is in subfamily Nymphalinae

Thanks Paul! And zero effort on my part to look it up!

The gigantic Neotropical grasshoppers of the genus Tropidacris are certainly worth mentioning in this thread -


Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/entomopixel/7463506030

This is Amblycheila hoversoni, the largest tiger beetle in N. America. Native to south central TX.

Chuck wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 5:37 pm I found this, though it's 2019 and only on Speyeria. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cg ... t=uop_etds

Right up front they state they couldn't do a more comprehensive analysis due to lack of samples (specimens).

It would be interesting to know what other Nymphalid Speyeria and Argynnis are closest to; Euphydras maybe?

Interestingly Speyeria is treated as Argynnis by some websites. They are in Heliconinae subfamily so the closest would be Boloria as it is in the same Argynni tribe and then would be Heliconius and other.
Euphydras is in subfamily Nymphalinae

I found this, though it's 2019 and only on Speyeria. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cg ... t=uop_etds

Right up front they state they couldn't do a more comprehensive analysis due to lack of samples (specimens).

It would be interesting to know what other Nymphalid Speyeria and Argynnis are closest to; Euphydras maybe?

Chuck wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 11:42 am has there every been a study to determine where they developed and how they spread across the continents?

Chuck asked an interesting question. I expect that there must have been, since it seems the species has been moved back to Argynnis and would appreciate hearing about them from someone who knows.

Adam.

daveuk wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 10:17 am Thanks Adam. I thought about using Childrena but thought it was now back in Argynnis. My mistake.

Dave,

It seems you are right, and apologise for the error. I note that books used that name, however I have just seen that
http://yutaka.it-n.jp/hel/710080001.html
treats it as Argynnis childreni childreni Gray, 1831

As a result I will change the name back in the subject line after posting this.

Adam.

This might be of interest to entomologists & collectors, since agricultural spraying affects insect populations. For better or worse, it looks like the drones are here to stay.

https://cleantechnica.com/2023/03/21/ma ... after-win/

Another cool genus is Amblycheila from the western U.S. and northern Mexico. I've only had the opportunity to catch A. cylindriformis on the Great Plains.

With Fritillaries spread across the northern hemisphere, has there every been a study to determine where they developed and how they spread across the continents?

adamcotton wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:15 am Nowadays this species is placed in its own genus, Childrena Hemming, 1943.

I edited the subject accordingly.

Adam.

Thanks Adam. I thought about using Childrena but thought it was now back in Argynnis. My mistake.

Nowadays this species is placed in its own genus, Childrena Hemming, 1943.

I edited the subject accordingly.

Adam.

Fabulous! One of the most eye-catching fritillaries I've seen.