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84
Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society
seems logical to assume that these arachnids contribute considerably to the attrition of this sphingid's early stages.
Six of the fourteen larvae later produced parasites—a dipterous maggot emerged from a 3rd instar larva, while five late 5th instar larvae produced numerous braconid-like parasites. Also, several dried corpses of cupressi larvae were seen on the branches, with emerged parasitic cocoons found spun in a silken mass at the base of the dead larvae.
To assess the feeding habits and density of L cupressi larvae, I placed an old bedsheet underneath a number of cypress trees. Each morning I examined this sheet, and found it covered with large amounts of lepidopterous larval frass. Since there are no other known Taxodium-ieeding species whose larvae would be as large as cupressi, it is assumed that most of the droppings were from this species. Almost all of it was identical in color, form, size, and texture to that deposited by the cupressi larvae feeding in captivity. Often there were concentrations of large frass pellets on the sheet, but searching the lower branches just above these areas revealed no larvae. It appears that most of this excreta had filtered down from cupressi larvae on the higher branches. Further, the ground beneath every landlocked T. distichum tree on the Wedge grounds indicated the presence of cupressi in the form of these large pellets of frass. The sheet was shaken clean each morning, and then moved to another nearby cypress tree. While the sheet was checked at frequent intervals, almost no new droppings were deposited during the day. However, the following morning invariably revealed the sheet once again covered with quantities of cupressi-\ike frass. This evidence supports the hypothesis of Bates (1928, Florida Entomol. 12: 20-21), that I. cupressi larvae feed at night. It seems likely that, at least around the Wedge Plantation, the higher cypress branches support healthy populations of cupressi larvae. Searching these higher branches at night with a flashlight, and with a ladder during the day, was unsuccessful.
Michael D. Van Buskirk, 4512 47th S.W., Seattle, Washington 98116.
INTERESTING FLORIDA BUTTERFLY RECORDS
The records below represent either range extensions or reinforcements of older records as published by Kimball (1965, The Lepidoptera of Florida. Gainesville. 363p.) and Clench (1970, J. Lepid. Soc. 24: 240-244). Checklist numbers are those of dos Passos (1964, Mem. Lepid. Soc. 1) and the nomenclature also follows his work. In several cases, primarily those records from the early 1960's, no specimens were taken or the few secured have been destroyed. Therefore, the data in those instances are of a more general nature. I would like to offer a special thanks to Mr. D. W. Bryne who provided support and encouragement during the period that these records were being established.
83. Problema byssus (Edwards). Range extension. In the early 1960's this Skipper could be found in both north Tampa, Hillsborough Co., and at Bishop's Harbor, Manatee Co.
188b. Staphylus mazans hayhurstii (Edwards). Range extension. Ozello, Citrus Co.: 5 September 1970 (5 £ S )• This represents a substantial northward extension on the west coast of Florida. The previous records (Kimball) stopped at Sanibel Island, Lee Co.
218. Urbanus dorantes dorantes (Stoll). Range extension. Caxambas, Marco Island, Collier Co.: 17 October 1970 (1 $). Branchton, Hillsborough Co.: 29 February 1972 (1 $ ) and 5 April 1972 (1 $ ). The two specimens from Branchton were taken in open areas within a forested area and represent a one hundred and fifty mile northward range extension over previous records (Clench). This could
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be only a temporary extension however. The winter of 1971-72 was the warmest in many years and could be the reason dorantes suddenly appeared this far north in Florida. A normal winter season with numerous days around the freezing mark could well result in elimination of the species from this region.
233. Polygonus leo (Gmelin). New locale. Caxambas, Marco Island, Collier Co.: 17 October 1970 (1 $ ). This makes more continuous geographically the records on the Florida west coast.
274b. Appias drusilla neumoegenii (Skinner). New locale. Casey Key, Sarasota Co.: 6 July 1963 (1 $). This capture reinforces an older, uncertain record from the same area (Kimball). Also, although I found this species uncommon at Key Largo, Monroe Co., in May of 1971, when I returned later in August of that year I found it to be not only abundant but also outside its normal hammock environment visiting flowers freely in the bright, open, roadside areas.
307a. Phoebis statira floridensis (Neumoegen). New locale. Bishop's Harbor, Manatee Co.: 27 January 1972 (1 $ ).
308. Kricogonia lyside (Godart). Range extension. Casey Key, Sarasota Co.: 6 July 1963 (1 $ ). This individual, taken at the blossoms of Bidens pilosa Linnaeus, represents a considerable northward range extension.
525a. Anartia jatrophae guantanamo Munroe. Range extension. In the early 1960's numerous individuals of this species were taken at Chassahowitzka, Citrus Co. The most northerly locale previously recorded on the Florida west coast was Tampa (Kimball).
554a. Phyciodes frisia frisia (Poey). South Bay, Palm Beach Co.: 21 August 1971 (1 $ ). This is one of the few records for the species north of Dade and Monroe Counties.
639a. Euptychia gemma gemma (Hubner). Range extension. In the early 1960's this satyr could be found sparingly but consistently at Chassahowitzka, Citrus Co. Also, a colony was discovered at Branchton, Hillsborough Co., in 1972 with the species being not uncommon from 20 March through at least 6 April. Moist, grassy areas within woods are preferred.
646b. Euptychia cymela viola (Maynard). Range extension. A colony of this species was discovered near Branchton, Hillsborough Co., with individuals on the wing from at least 12 March through 17 April in 1971. The habitat consists of an oak woods surrounded by swampy cypress stands.
D. L. Burris, 704 Country Club Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612.
A NEW SPECIMEN OF CYNTHIA ANNABELLA "AB. MUELLERI" FROM CALIFORNIA ( NYMPHALIDAE)
A male Cynthia annabella Field (= Vanessa carye auct.) virtually identical with one of "ab. muelleri' figured by Gunder (1929, Pan-Pac. Entomol. 6: 9, pi. 17) was taken on 10 May 1972, 2% mi. NE Davis, Yolo Co., California. This phenotype, with various minor modifications (cf. Gunder 1927, Entomol. News 38: 263-271, pis. 5-10), has now been found between 20 and 30 times in C. annabella throughout California. If it has a genetic basis—as suggested by several reported clusters of captures—its incidence is probably too high to be ascribed to recurrent mutation alone. Extremely similar phenotypes are recorded in Cynthia cardui Linnaeus (Gunder, 1927) and C. virginiensis (Drury) (cf. Clark & Clark, 1951 Butterflies of Virginia, pi. 30).
Arthur M. Shapiro, Department of Zoology, University of California, Davis, California 95616.