John Abbot's butterfly drawings for William Swainson, including general comments about Abbot's artistic methods and written observations

2007·9.7 MB·

Volume 61, Number 1
\
Journal of ;
The
Lepidopterists' Society
Volume 61 2007 Number 1
JournaloftheLepidopterists'Society
61(1),2007,1-20
JOHN ABBOT'S BUTTERFLY DRAWINGS FORWILLIAM SWAINSON, INCLUDING GENERAL
COMMENTS ABOUTABBOTS ARTISTIC METHODS ANDWRITTEN OBSERVATIONS
JohnV. Calhoun1
977WicksDr.,Palm Harbor, FL 346S4
ABSTRACT. Between 1816and1818,artist-naturalistJohnAbbotcompleted 103drawingsofinsectsforEnglishnaturalistWilliam Swain-
son. Thehistoryoftheseillustrationsisreviewed,leadinguptotheirrediscoveryin 1977intheAlexanderTurnbull Library,Wellington.New
Zealand. Fourofdiesedrawingsarefigured. Theadultsinthe21 butterflydrawingsareidentifiedandthefiguresoflarvaeandpupaeareas-
sessedforaccuracy. Theillustratedplantsarealsoidentifiedandtheirstatusashostsisexamined. AspectsofAbbot'slifehistorynotesaredis-
cussed,includinghisspelling,grammar,anduseofLatinnames. HisnotesforSwainsonaretranscribedandanalyzed. AreviewofAbbot'sart-
workindicatesthatheduplicatedmanvofhiscompositionsfor20-25years. Hesometimesportrayederroneousfiguresoflarvae,pupae,and
hostplants. Figuresofimmaturesweresometimesfabricatedusingotherspeciesasmodels. Healsoappliedduplicatefiguresoflarvaetomore
thanonespecies. AbbotmayhavesentanodrersetofinsectdrawingstoSwainsonin 1830. Ninety-ninesmallerdrawingsattheTumbull Li-
braryareattributedtoboth AbbotandSwainson. Sixoftheseillustrationsarefigured. Abbot'snotesforSwainsonsuggestdiatatleastthree
butterflyspeciesarenowmoreabundantthanduringdieearlynineteenthcentury,whilethreeothersareprobablylesswidespreaddianfor-
merly.
Additionalkeywords: Georgia,larvae,Lepidoptera,pupae,hostplants,watercolors
"To the scientist and the naturalist comes, then, the Lepidoptera long before they were scientificallv
artist, to wait upon both, ever reach/ to translate into described. His drawings and specimens contributed to
form and line the forms o—f the butterflies, to fix the theoriginaldescriptions ofnumerous species. Formany
colours ofbrocadedwings" VereTemple. years, Abbot's illustrations and notes were the primary
Thousands of natural history illustrations were source oflifehistoryinformation forthe Lepidopteraof
rendered by Georgia artist-naturalist John Abbot America. Edwards (1868-1872) stated, "Even among
(1751-ca.1840), but relatively few have been analyzed our old and common species, the larvae are but little
by more recent authors. Abbot's bird drawings have more knownthan inthedaysofAbbot." Scudder(1888,
received the most attention through the studies of 1888-1889) similarly remarked, "the transformations of
Faxon (1896), Rhodes (1918), Allen (1951), Larson & not a few of our butterflies are even now known onlv
Rogers-Price (1983), Simpson (1984, 1993), Griffin through the observations and illustrations of Abbot."
([1990]), and Rogers-Price (1992, 1997). Spider Abbots work is still valuable in understanding the life
drawings were reviewed by Chamberlin & Ivie (1944). histories ofpoorlyknown species. His original drawings
Scudder (1872, 1888-1889) documented a large also help to clarify taxonomic concepts and historical
numberofAbbot's unpublished butterfly drawings, but distributions (Calhoun 2003). However, some of his
his identifications were incomplete and partially illustrations and written observations are the source of
inaccurate. Miscellaneous drawings of birds, insects, dubious information that continues to plague die
and spiders were figured and identified in biographical literature. Authors have repeated manv of Abbot's
accounts, most notably by Rogers-Price (1983) and erroneous hostplant associations without realizingtheir
Gilbert (1998,2000). origin. Because ofthese discrepancies, extreme caution
While conducting research for Calhoun (2003) I mustbeexercisedwhen consultingAbbot's drawings for
realizedAbbot'sprofoundinfluenceon NorthAmerican life history information. To fullv appreciate Abbot's
entomology. Abbot documented many species of contributions, itisessentialtoanalyzehisartworkwithin
'Research Associate, Florida State Collection of Arthropods, its original context and over the course ofhis career in
DPI, FDACS, Gainesville,Florida32614,USA
Journalofthe Lepidopterists' Society
America. I previously discussed Abbot's work in Swainson wanted, but stated that he could "readily
Calhoun (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006). I now present a make at least 200 such Drawings not figured in Smiths
review ofAbbot's butterfly drawings in the Alexander work, amongthem is manyoftheprincipal Insects both
Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. I also forsize & beauty" (Linnean SocietyofLondon). Bythe
continue to investigate the artistic methods and time Abbot sent his reply, Swainson had already
manuscript notes that Abbot used to document his departed London for a two-year expedition to Brazil.
observations ofAmerican Lepidoptera. His letterwas forwarded to Brazil by Swainson's father,
JohnTimothy Swainson.
Methods
Abbot hoped that more of his drawings would
Digital images of drawings were received from the eventually be published like those in The Natural
AlexanderTurnbull Library. The adultbutterflies were History ofthe Rarer Lepidopterous Insects ofGeorgia
identified and the figures comparedwith those in other (Smith & Abbot 1797). Abbotwas probablyunaware of
sets ofAbbot's drawings that are deposited elsewhere. thisbookforsometime,butwas familiarwithitby1813
Figures ofbutterflylarvae andpupaewere analyzedfor when he referredto "Smiths Lepidoptera" in aletterto
accuracyusingwritten descriptions, line drawings, and Escher-Zollikofer. Abbot also wrote Latin names from
photographs of living specimens. Botanist Mark A. this book on drawings that he began in 1813 (Calhoun
Garlandprovided identifications ofthe depictedplants, 2004). He repeatedlyreferred tohis sets ofdrawings as
whichwerethenevaluatedashosts. Alsoconsultedwere "a continuation ofSmiths Lepidoptera," presumablyto
relevant manuscripts preserved in the Carl A. Kroch induce patrons to publish them as such. The proposed
Library (Cornell University), Ernst Mayr Library Lepidoptera drawings for Swainson were to be
(Museum ofComparativeZoology, HarvardUniversity), completed in a comparable format, which Abbot
GrayHerbarium (HarvardUniversity), andthe Linnean described as "Quarto, containingthe larva, & Fly, Male
SocietyofLondon. & female ifany difference, on one ofthe plants it feeds
on, orthe particularplant, inWatercolors" (letterto H.
Results
Escher-Zollikofer, Kroch Library). Like his other life
Background. Since his youth, the English naturalist history illustrations, theywould invariablyportray only
William Swainson (1789-1855) was familiar with John mature larvae andinclude pupae.
Abbot through the published drawings in Smith & When Abbot was working on his drawings for
Abbot (1797) and Abbot's numerous specimens that Swainson, he was also attempting to complete a set for
were contained in the natural history cabinets of Escher-Zollikofer. In April 1817, Abbot sent 50
London. Swainson obtained some of Abbot's insect drawings to Escher-Zollikofer and applied 48 others to
specimens in 1813throughAbbot's London agent, John Swainson's order. Abbot often juggled specimens and
Francillon (Swainson correspondence, Linnean Society drawings between patrons. By August 1817, he had
of London). In September 1816, Swainson wrote completed at least 56 more drawings, telling the South
directlytoAbbotabouthis desiretopurchase additional Carolina botanist Stephen Elliott, "I have now 104
specimens, aswellas drawingsofdieinsects ofGeorgia [drawings], finished for a 2d Vol. [of "Smiths
He lateraskedspecificallyforillustrations ofbutterflies Lepidoptera"] (Gray Herbarium, Harvard University).
and sphinx moths that were not figured in Smith & Upon completion of the set for Swainson, Abbot
Abbot (1797). Without divulging Swainson's name, entered notes about the habits and biology of each
Abbotboasted to the Swiss naturalist Heinrich (Henry) species in aseparate manuscript.
Escher-Zollikofer (1776-1853) that he had received a Abbot finallysent his watercolors and accompanying
letter from "a Gendeman in England of my notes to Swainsonwith 900 insect specimens on 1 May
acquaintance, who desires me to collect for him a 1818. He advised, "I have sent under the cork at the
General collection of Insects, and also wants to bottom ofthebox (beingafalsebottom) 104 Q [quarto]
purchase a collection of Drawings" (Kroch Library, Drawings of the changes of the Insects of Georgia
Cornell University). Abbot replied to Swainson in making a 2d Vol. of Smith" (Linnean Society of
December 1816 that he had "commenced making aset London). The drawings were placed under the corkto
of Quarto (large size) Drawings of the changes of conceal them from customs inspectors and avoid duty
Insectswidinotes, ofsuchInsectsthatarenotfiguredin fees. Abbot asked Swainson, "Ifyou shou'dnot approve
Smiths Lepidoptera Insects of Georgia, indeed it is a ofthemyourself, begthefavortodisposeofthemtothe
continuation of that Work" (Linnean Society of best advantage for me" (Linnean Society of London).
London). Abbot expected to complete about 100 Although Abbot intended to provide 104 drawings, the
drawings by the time he collected all the insects that same number published in Smith & Abbot (1797), he
Volume 61, Number 1
apparently misplaced one of them prior to shipment. abandoned" (Swainson 1840). It is uncertain what
DespiteAbbot'sdescription, thesetincluded morethan species would have been includedin such abook, since
just Lepidoptera. Swainson would likely have used the replacement
Swainson examined the drawings upon his return to drawings that Abbot intended to send. Because ofhis
LondoninAugust ISIS. Hewas immediatelycritical. In dissatisfaction with the drawings, Swainson missed a
his reply to Abbot, Swainson complained that die perfect opportunity to describe the numerous
drawings were "not so highly finished as those must "nondescript" species that they portrayed, most of
have been from which the Plates in Dr Smiths work which remainedunnamedformanyyears. Nonetheless,
were taken," adding, "die greatest objection is thatthey Swainson (1821) published an abbreviated version of
are much smaller in size so thev can never be bound one ofthe moth drawings to accompanyhis description
j
uniformlywith diatwork" (Linnean SocietyofLondon). of Thyreus abbottii (now Sphecodina abbottii), which
In Abbot's defense, his original drawings for Smith & dubiously honored Abbot with an incorrect double-t
—
Abbot (1797) were of a comparable size, but the spelling of his name a common mistake still made
published plates were printed on larger paper. Per his today. Abbotand Swainsoncontinuedtocorrespondfor
earlier request, Swainson argued that he wanted only manyyears. A letter that Abbot wrote in January 1835
drawings ofbutterflies andsphinxmoths, notthevariety was possibly his last to Swainson (Alexander Turnbull
of insects that Abbot had included. As a friendly Library). In November 1836, after learning that yet
gesture, Abbot had already discounted the cost ofthe another shipment of Swainson's Brazilian insects for
drawings from seven shillings and six pence to six Escher-Zollikofer had arrived in deplorable condition,
shillings, but Swainson offered to payonly five shillings Abbot remarked, "I have had no dealings with him
in fight ofhis objections. At five shillings each, the cost since" (letter to H. Escher-Zollikofer, Cornell
ofthe drawings would have totaled £25 15s, currently University).
valued at about £1,340 ($2,520 US). Swainson also Swainson moved from England to New Zealand in
complained about Abbot's insect specimens, stating, "I 1840. After Swainson's death, his extensive
should have liked a greatervarietyinstead of4 & 5 ofa correspondence was brought to England by one ofhis
species." Swainson askeddiat replacement drawings be daughters and placed in the care of the botanist Sir
sent with another shipment of insect specimens. If Joseph D. Hooker. In 1900, the 934 letters, including
Abbot could not provide more drawings, Swainson nine from Abbot,wereacquiredfor£50bythe Linnean
proposedtokeepsomefromthefirstsetand"disposeof Society ofLondon (Gunther 1899-1900)' Albert C. L.
dieremainderifpossible" (Linnean SocietyofLondon). G. Gunther, then President of the Linnean Society,
Abbot acquiesced in June 1819, writing, "I will draw knew from these letters that Swainson had received
over again foryou those diat you want. .and will leave drawings from Abbot, but their whereabouts w-ere
.
youtodisposeofthosealreadysentatthebestpriceyou unknown. Priortohis departureto NewZealand, alarge
can get" (Linnean Society of London). In lieu of portion of Swainson's library and natural history
monetary payment for the drawings and specimens, collections were auctioned in June 1840 (Chalmers-
Swainson offeredto exchange Brazilianinsects fromhis Hunt 1976). Abbot's drawings, however, were not part
recent expedition. Swainson collected about 20,000 of this sale. In September 1841, four months after
insect specimens during his trip (Natusch & Swainson Swainson's arrivalin NewZealand, ashipearningmuch
1987). Abbot graciously accepted and arranged forthe of the remainder of his library sunk off die coast of
Brazilian insects tobe sent directlyto Heinrich Escher- South Africa en route to his new home (Parkinson
Zollikofer in Switzerland, who would then pay Abbot. 1984). Giinther (1899-1900) bemoaned die possibility
However, Abbot apparently never completed the that Abbot's drawings were forever lost in diis disaster,
replacementdrawings andSwainsonkepttheentirefirst stating, "Noonecouldappreciatedieirvaluebetterdian
series. As payment for Abbots specimens, Swainson Swainson, andtheirexquisitebeaut)'andaccuracymust
later sent Brazilian insects to Escher-Zollikofer, but have exercisedaveiybeneficialinfluenceon dieworkof
Abbot was mortified to learn that the shipment was his own pencil and brush." Swainson w'as also an
heavilydamaged upon receipt. accomplished artist who personally illustrated most of
Swainson ultimately lost interest in a project to hispublications (see Parkinson 1989).
publish more ofAbbots drawings, relating manyyears The fate of these Abbot watercolors remained a
later, "another series of 10.3 subjects, not included in mystery until 1977 when a librarian at die Alexander
that which has been published, was executed for us, Turnbull Library discovered an uncataloged collection
withthe intention offormingtwo additionalvolumes to ofdrawings. Parkinson (1978) initially associated diem
those edited by Dr. Smith, but the design is now with drawings that Abbot supposedly shipped to
Journalofthe Lepidopterists' Society
Swainson in 1835, but Wilkinson (1982) correctly until 1837 (Gravell & Miller 1979). Three other sheets
identified them as those completed between 1816 and bearthewatermarks of"Ruse & Turners 1810" and "W
1818. In 1866, elevenyears after Swainson's death, the B."The Ruse &Turnerspapermilloperatedin England
drawings were deposited into the Colonial Museum in from 1805 until 1845 (Churchill 1935). Beginning in
Wellington, New Zealand. There they remained until 1808, William Barber (Barbour) produced paper with
1876whentheyweregiventoWalter B. D. Mantell, son the "W B" watermark from mills located in Berks
offamed Britishpaleontologist Gideon A. Mantell. The County, Pennsylvania (Gravell & Miller 1979). This
Turnbull Library acquired the library of W. B. D. reveals that Abbot was using American paper by this
Mantell in 1927 from the widow ofhis son, Walter G. time, which he probably purchased in Savannah. He
Mantell (Parkinson 1983a, 1984, Parkinson & Rogers- initially employed English papers, such as those from
Price 1984). theWhatman mills (Calhoun2006a).
During the early 1980s, the Alexander Turnbull Although high in quality, thesewatercolors are notas
Library Endowment Trust embarked on an ambitious detailed as the original drawings for Smith & Abbot
project to publish these drawings as Abbot had hoped. (1797), which were completed ca. 1783-1792 (see
They would be issued in annual fascicles consisting of Calhoun 2006a). At the top right ofeach drawing are
six to ten plates each. The text would be formatted numbers written by Abbot that correspond to the
similar to that of Smith & Abbot (1797), but Abbots entries in his notes. Several drawings bear names and
notes for each drawing would be photographically othernotations in Swainson's hand.
reproduced from his manuscript. The drawings The set includes illustrations ofColeoptera (7 spp.),
themselves would be reproduced as six-color Hemiptera (1 sp.), Hymenoptera (1 sp.), Lepidoptera
photolithographicprints measuring40.0 x 25.0cm (15.7 (85 spp.), and Orthoptera (2 spp.). Seventeen of the
x 9.8 in) and printed on Process Dove 25 percent rag watercolors (nos. 3, 6, 8, 10-12, 14, 17, 18, 21, 32, 35,
paper. Thefirstfasciclewas offeredin May 1983for$50 37, 49, 53, 72, 78) were figured by Parkinson (1978),
NZ. Individual plates could be ordered for $10 NZ Reynolds (1983), Rogers-Price (1983, 1984), Parkinson
(editor's note in Rogers-Price 1984). Six plates were & Rogers-Price (1984), and Calhoun (2003, 2004). The
includedinthis fascicle: one katydid and five butterflies Lepidopteradrawings are like thosepublishedin Smith
from drawing nos. 6, 10, 11, 12, 21, and 28 (ATLET & Abbot (1797), depicting adults, early stages, and a
1983). The insects were identified by Matthew E. supposedhostplant (Figs. 1-4). Theyinclude21 species
Dakin, John G. Franclemont, and Paul E. S. Whalley. ofbutterflies.
The plants were determined by C. Richie Bell. The The accompanying eleven pages of annotations,
secondfascicleoftenplateswasbeingpreparedin 1984 entitled "Notes to the Drawings ofInsects," arewritten
forpublication the followingyear, but poor sales ofthe inAbbot's handon creamwovepapermeasuring34.0 x
first fascicle forced the discontinuation ofthe project, 20.5 cm (13.4 x 8.1 in). The entries are numbered to
leavingthe remainderofthe drawings unidentified (M. correspond to the drawings and several sheets bear
Calderperscomm., P. Parkinsonpers comm.). Although undated watermarks of "J M," indicative of paper
Parkinson (1978) listed all the drawings, he tentatively munfactured after 1817 by John Matthews of
identifieddiem usingonlyAbbot's manuscript names. Pennsylvania (Gravell & Miller). The pages have been
Analysis. In January 2003, I received digital images stitched into a fawn wove paper cover. The front cover
of all 103 drawings, as well as photocopies ofAbbots bears a misspelled ink title, probably written by
accompanying notes. The drawings are unbound, but Swainson, reading, "DISCRIPTION OF ABBOTTS
appear to have once been protected between pink DRAWINGS." Preservedwidithis collectionisaleather
marbledboards,which arepreservedwithdiedrawings. cover that may have been removed from boards that
The front board bears a pasted paper label, probably once protected the notes. It bears gilt tooling and
created by Swainson, reading, "Original drawings of edging, as well as a gilt crest in the center. The crest
insects byJ. Abbott." On the verso ofthe board is the possiblypertains to the Mantell family.
bookplate ofW. B. D. Mantell and a Turnbull Libraiy With the help of six other specialists, I compiled a
classification label dated 1929. nearlycomplete list ofidentifications for all the insects
The drawings are rendered in watercolor and and plants in these drawings. This list was provided to
graphite on cream-colored wove paper and most the Turnbull Libraiyin September 2003. As part ofmy
measure 34.2 x 24.6 cm (13.5 x 9.7 in). Twenty-five of study ofJohn Abbot's butterflies, I present a review of
thempossesswatermarksof"TG&Co."Thispaperwas the butterfly drawings that are preserved in the
manufacturedbyThomas andJoshuaGilpin,whose mill Turnbull Libraiy with transcriptions of Abbot's
was located north ofWilmington, Delaware from 1787 accompanying manuscriptnotes (Table 1).
Volume 61, Number 1
FIGS. \-i. JohnAbbotbutterflydrawings intheAlexanderTumbull Library. 1,Papiliopalamedes (E-272-f-009) (erroneoushostplant). 2,
Asterocampaclylon (E-272-f-016) (erroneouslarva,pupa,andhostplant). 3,Pyrguscommunis (E-272-f-023). 4.Callophnjshenrici (E-272-
f-027).
Journalofthe Lepidoptepjsts' Society
Table 1. Adultbutterflies,earlystages, andplantsdepicted inJohn Abbotdrawings intheAlexanderTurnbull Library. AlsoAbbot'soriginal
manuscriptentriesforeach (Abbot'sgrammarandspellingarepreserved). InsectnomenclaturefollowsOpler6cWarren (2002). Adultinsect
figures: D=dorsal,V=ventral, m=male, f=female. Earlystages: L=larva, P=pupa,a=aeceptable.u=unacceptable. Statusoffiguredhostplants
(inbrackets):C=confirmed, NC=needsconfirmation,E=erroneous.
Drawing Figuredadults Plant speciesand Manuscriptentryby Abbot
J.
No. andearlystages hoststatus
PapilioglaucusL. StyraxamericanusLam. (Styracaceae)[C] 6'. PapilioGlaucus. TheCaterpillarfeeds
on theStyraxlaevigata. SwampAshand
Df Vf La Pa a"mSetyrriacxanluase.vig"aStaw"aimspaAssyhn"on(yprmoboafbSl.y HCihcacnognje,dT1y3'e1d'birtseedlf2udpAprIiVl.1'OIcttarlsobreeds
Fraxinuspennsi/lvanica Marsh.) again in theSummer. TheCaterpillaris
(Oleaceae)and"Hiccory"[hickory] (Carya veryrare,andtheButterflynotcommon.
sp.)(Juglandaceae)arealsoconfirmed
hostplants.
NOTES:onlythedarkformofthefemaleisportrayed. ThisdrawingwasfiguredbyParkinson(1978)andParkinson&Rogers-Price(1984)
DuplicatefiguresbyAbbotwerereproducedforPlates8and9of BoisduvalckLeConte(1S29-[1837]). "Glaucus"ispenciledonthe
drawinginSwainson'shand. ItisinterestingthatAbbotfollowedcontemporarywisdomintreatingthisformasaseparatespeciesfromthe
butterfliesindrawingno. 10,especiallysinceherearedbothandnotedthateachfedon"SwampAsh". Moreover,heportrayedslightly
differentimmaturesinthesedrawings. Abbotpossiblyknewthetruthaboutthisform,butwashesitanttorefutemore"learned"naturalists
whowerealsopayingcustomers.
9 PapiliopalamedesDrury Magnolia virginiana L. (Magnoliaceae) [E] 9. Largeyellowspottedblackswallow
tailedButterfly. FeedsontheBay
figured, Tyedup30"'May,changedthe
Dm.Vm,La,Pa 31stbred14thJune.Anotherthatchanged
the18th Seprwasbredthe24"'March.
TheCaterpillarisnotcommontobemet
with. ButtheButteifli/isfrequentall
overtheCountry.
NOTES:seeFig. 1. DuplicatefiguresofthelarvaandpupabyAbbotwerereproducedforPlate5ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837]).
"Calchas,"amisspellingofthejuniorsynonymPapiliochoicesFabricius.ispenciledonthedrawingin Swainson'shand. Magnoliavirginiana
isoftenlistedasahostplantofthisspecies,butitistoxictothelarvae(Scriber1986,Scriberetal.2000). Brooks(1962)notedthatlarvaeof
P.palamedeswouldnotacceptthisplantinGeorgia. TwootherAbbotdrawingsofP.palamedeswithM. virginianaarepreservedatThe
NaturalHistoryMuseum,London. Theyareduplicatesofoneanother,butslightlydifferentfromthedrawinginNewZealandandprobably
completedaboutadecadeearlier. Scudder(1S88-1S89)examinedoneoftheseandidentifiedthedepictedplantasMagnoliaglauca (L.),
nowconsideredtobeasynonymofM. virginiana. ThisdrawingwasfiguredbvRogers-Price(1984)andGilbert(1998,2000). Scudder's
discussionofthisdrawingisthesourceofallsubsequentclaimsthatthisbutterflyfeedsonM. virginiana. Abbotportrayedthisbutterflyonly
withM. virginiana. Heidentifiedtheplantintwoduplicatedrawingsas"Magnoliaglauca,"butthisappearstohavebeenanaesthetic
substitutionorheincorrectlyrecalledthehostwhenhelaterillustratedthelifehistoryofthisbutterfly. Scudder(1888-1889)alsoremarked
thatFloridanaturalistWilliamWittfeldreportedthehostplanttobe "redbay,"whichWittfeldidentifiedas"Magnoliaglauca." However,
WittfeldprobablyassociatedthewrongLatinnamewithhisreportof"redbay,"whichisapplicabletoPerseaborbonia (L.)Spreng.,theonly
acceptablehostofthisbutterflyin Florida(Scriberetal.2000). Magnoliavirginianaisknownas"sweetbay." Thepupaistoocolorful,but
conceptuallyaccurate.
10 Papilioglaucus L. Ptcleatrifoliata L. (Rutaceae) [C] 10. Papilio Turmts. Feedson thePtelia
trifoliata,andSwampAsh, Tyeditselfup
Dm,Vm,La,Pa p"eSnwnsaim/plvAansihc"a(Mparrosbha.b)ly(FOrleaaxcienaues)isalsoa b19e"'mJeutnew,itchhtahnignelyds2c0a't1'tberreedd4o"v'eJrulayl.lMay
confirmedhostplant. partsoftheCountry.
NOTES:seedrawingno.8. ThisdrawingwasreproducedinATLET(1983)andfiguredbyRogers-Price(19S3). DuplicatefiguresbyAbbot
werereproducedforPlates6and7ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837])."Turnis",amisspellingofthejuniorsynonymPapilioturnus L.,is
penciledonthedrawinginSwainson'shand. Abbotalsousedthisname.
11 PapiliocresphontesCra Zanthoxylwnclava-herculisL. 11. PapilioThoas. FeedsonthePrickly
(Rutaceae) [C] Ash,andtheOrangetree, Tyedupthe6"'
Dm,Vm,La,Pa May,changedthe7"'bredthe27"'
"PricklyAsh"referstoZ. clava-herculis. anotherthatchangedthe15"'May,was
"Orangetree"(Citrussp.) (Rutaceae)is bred3"June,andanotherthatchanged
alsoaconfirmedhostplant. the30,hJune,bred19"'July. Istobemet
intheGardensoftheCityofSavannah,
andtheneighbourhood,butnotafew
milesbackintheinlandparts.
NOTES:thisdrawingwasreproducedinATLET(1983)andfiguredbyParkinson&Rogers-Price(1984). DuplicatefiguresbyAbbotwere
reproducedforPlates 12and 13ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837]). Thecultivationoforangetreeswasprobablyresponsibleforthe
occurrenceofthisbutterfly"intheGardensoftheCityofSavannah." Thename"PapilioThoas"(i.e.PapiliothoasL.)wasusedforP.
cresphontesuntiltheseveiysimilarbutterflieswererecognizedasdifferentspeciesmanyyearslater.
Volume 61. Number 1
Table 1. Continued.
Drawing Figuredadults Plant speciesand Manuscriptentry by Abbot
J.
No. andearlystages hoststatus
12 Asciamonuste(L.) Cleomegynandra L. (Cappa 3)[C] 12. PapilioDanaiCleome. Feedsonthe
Cleomepentaphilles. Tyedup16thJuly,
Dm,Df(2),Vf,La,Pa "C.ClpeeonmtaeppheynltlaaphLi.,lliessa"saymniosnsypemlloifngof fcehmaanlgeedBu1t7t"e'r,flbireesdv2ar3ide.sMbaeniyngoofftahedingy
C.gynandra blackasfigured. ThisButterflyissome
Summersveryplentyin Savannah
breedingintheGardensi?yardswhere
theplantgrowsinplentybutisrarein
theInlandparts.
NOTES:thisdrawingwasfiguredbvCalhoun(2004)andaduplicatedrawingwasfiguredbyGilbert(1998). DuplicatefiguresbyAbbot
werealsoreproducedforPlate16ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837]) (Calhoun2004). PenciledonthedrawinginSwainson'shandis
"no12". Abbot'snameforthisspeciesisderivedfromtheLinnaeanclassificationsystem,wherePapilioisthegenusandDanaiisagroup
thatincludesthePieridae. "Cleome"isanamethatAbbotcoinedbasedonthehostplant. Abbot'snotesaptlydescribetheirregular
migratorypresenceofthesubspeciesA. m,phileta (Fabricius)incoastalGeorgia(Calhoun2004).
13 Cercyonispegala(Fabricius) Panicvmsp,possiblyP. dichotomiflonm 13. GreatmeadowbrownButterfly.
Michx.orP. rigidulum Nees(Poaceae) Feedsonthegrassfigured,andother
Dm, Df,Vf,La,Pa [NC] grasses, Tyedup79'''June,changed20'h
bred5'1'Jidy. Frequentsthepinewoods
ire. Isnotcommon.
NOTES:portionsofaduplicatedrawingbyAbbotwerereproducedforPlate59ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837]) (thefigureofthe
larvawasreversed). TheplantwasidentifiedinATLET(1983)asPanicium[sic]agrostoidesSprengel,nowconsideredtobeasynommof
P. rigidulum. ThisdrawingpromptedParkinson(1983b)toquestionthesubspecificarrangementofC.pegala,particularlvtheidentityofC.
pegalaabbotti Brown. ThissubspecieswasnamedinhonorofJohnAbbotbyBrown(1969),whobelievedthatthebutterfliesfiguredby
Boisduval&LeConteasSatyrusalope(=C.pegalaalope Fabricius)actuallyportrayedanundescribedsubspeciesfoundinsoutheastern
GeorgiaandnorthernFlorida. ParkinsonarguedthatdieadultfiguresinthedrawinginNewZealand,aswellastheduplicatesinBoisduval
&LeConte(1829-[1837]),areinconsistentwiththisphenotypeasdefinedbyBrown(1965). Iagree,asAbbot'sfiguresareconsistentwith
C.p.pegalathatoccursineasternGeorgia. Abbot'sEnglishnamefortliisbutterflywasderivedfromitssuperficialresemblancetothe
commonEuropeanbutterfly,Maniolajurtina (L.),knowninBritainasthe"meadowbrown"sincetheearlyeighteenthcentury. In 1769,
AbbotillustratedspecimensofthisspeciestiiathehadcollectedinEngland,usingthisnametoidentifythem(LibraryoftheCarnegie
MuseumofNaturalHistory).
14 Hermeupychiasosybius(Fabricius) Carex sp.,possiblyC. hyalinolepis 14. SmallRinglet. FeedsontheTwi.rtc-d
Steudel(Cyperaceae) [NC] Grass,figured,andotherGrasses, Tyed
upAug23dchanged24thbredVSepr.
Dm,Df,Vm,Lu,Pa FrequentstheSwampsandfields, isnot
verycommon
NOTES:thisbutterflyisknowntofeedonlyongrasses(Poaceae). Abbotmayhavecollectedthewrongplantforhisillustration,possiblv
confusingitwiththehostofNeonymphaareolatus(J.E. Smith),whichfeedsonsedges(Cyperaceae). Abbotsupplieddiesamenotesand
usedthename'TwistedGrass"fortheplantillustratedinanotherdrawingofH.sosybiusnowdepositedatTheNaturalHistorvMuseum,
London. Thatdrawingportraysatwisted-leavedspeciesofyelloweyedgrass,probablyXyriscarolinianaWalter,notatruegrassbuta
memberoftheXyridaceaeandanerroneoushost. BecauseAbbotfiguredadifferentplantforSwainson,hecrossed-out"Twisted"toreflect
thischange. ToAbbot,sedgesweresimply"grasses." Thedepictedlarvalacksthepairofposteriorappendagestiiatarepresentintliis
species. Abbotincludedamoreaccuratelarvainatleasttwootherdrawingsofthisspecies,butlaterappliedittoCyllopsisgemma
(Hiibner).Abbot'sEnglishnameforthisbutterflywasderivedfromitsremotesimilaritytothewidespreadEuropeanspecies,Aphantopus
hyperantws(L.),whichhasbeenknownasthe"ringlet"inBritainsincethemid-eighteenthcentury. In 1769,Abbotillustratedspecimensof
thisspeciesthathehadcollectedinEngland,usingthisnametoidentifythem(Library'oftheCarnegieMuseumofNaturalHistory).
15 Asterocampaceltis(Boisduval&:Le Celtiscf.tenuifoliaNutt. (Celtaceae) [C] 15. PapilioPortlandia. Feedson the
Conte) Sugarberry,tyedup8hMay,changed7lh
"Sugarberry"referstothefiguredCeltis. bred20'1'. Isveryrare.
Dm,Df,Vm,Lu,Pa
NOTES:portionsofaduplicatedrawingbyAbbotwerereproducedonPlate57ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1S37]1toaceompanvthe
originaldescriptionofthisspecies. Thelarva,andpossiblyalsothepupa,isA.clyton (drawingno. 16). Boisduval&LeConte
(1829-[1837])andScudder(1888-1889)identifiedthedepictedplantasCeltisoccidentalisL. (Celtaceae). Abbotrepeatedlvmisapplied
thename"PapilioPortlandia"(i.e.Papilioportlandia Fabricius)tothisspecies(seetext).
Journalofthe Lepidopterists" Society
Table 1. Continued.
Drawing Figuredadults Plant speciesand Manuscriptentrybv Abbot
J.
No. andearlystages hoststatus
16 Astererocampachiton (Boisduval& Vacciniumstamineum L. (Ericaceae)[E] 16. OrangecolouredButterfly. Feedson
LeConte theSugarberry, Tyeclup20"'May.
) changed2Vbred9'1'June. Isveryrare
"Sugarberry"referstoCeltis.
Dm,Vm,Lu,Pu
NOTES:seeFig.2. Theimmaturesandplantinthisdrawingareallunrelatedtotheadults(seetext). DespitethefiguredVaccinium,this
butterflyisknowntofeedonlyonCeltistrees(Celtaceae). Abbotidentifiedtheplantinaduplicatedrawingas"Wildgooseberry." Two
additionaldrawingsofthisspeciesbyAbbotportraythesamefigures. Abbotincorrectlyassociatedthelarva,andpossiblyalsothepupa,with
thecloselyrelatedA.celtis,whichfeedsonthesamehosplants(seedrawing15). Heprobablyfoundfewimmaturesofthesespeciesand
misidentifieddiosethathelatercollectedforhisdrawings. AbbotultimatelyfabricatedimmaturesforA. chjton,modelingthemafter
Polijgoniainterrogations(Fabricius) (seetext). Abbotprobablyobservedthattheadultsofdiesespeciesevensharedsimilarcolorforms,
reinforcingthisperceivedrelationship. HeduplicatedtheseerroneousfiguresforallhissubsequentlifehistoryillustrationsofA. chjton.
Boisduval&LeConte(1S29-[1837])apparentlyrecognizedthismistake. AlthoughtheirPlate56ofApaturachjtonwascreditedtoAbbot,it
appearstohavebeenconstructedusingfiguresfromothersources,includinganalteredversionofAbbot'slarvaofA.celtis(actuallyA.
chjton). Thehostplantonthepublishedplatewasequallyerroneous,beingaspeciesofHex,possibly/. dedd.uaWalt. (Aquifoliaceae).
Scudder(1888-1889)identifiedthelarvaasP. interrogationisandthepupaasPoh/goniacomma (Harris). Ihavefoundnoevidencethat
AbbotencounteredP. commainGeorgia,nordoesthedepictedlarvaresemblethatspecies.
17 Chlosynegorgone(Hlibner) Helianthusdivaricatus L. (Asteraceae) [C] 17. CrosswortFrittilan/Butterfly. Feeds
ontheCrosswort,andsunflower, Ti/ed
Dm, Df,Vf,La,Pa d"iCvreorsiscaytvuorst"(saepepCaarelnhtoluynr2ef0e0r3s).toTHh.isis 1it7s"e'lfbruepdb2y6't1h'.eFtraeiqlu1e6'n''tsMatyhe,OcahkanWgoeodds
possiblyamisapplicationofan English ofBurkeCountybutisnotcommon.
namefortheBritishyellow-floweredherb,
CruciatalaevipesOpiz(Rubiaceae).
"Sunflower"probablyindicatesanother
speciesofHelianthus.
NOTES:thisdrawingwasfiguredinParkinson&Rogers-Price(1984)andCalhoun(2003). DuplicatefiguresbyAbbotwerereproducedfor
Plate46ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837])toaccompanytheoriginaldescriptionofdieenigmatictaxonMelitaeaismeria(Calhoun
2003,2004,2005,2006b). ThedepictedlarvaisconceptuallyconsistentwithC.gorgone. "Frittilary"isamisspellingoftheBritishname
"Fritillary."
18 Libytheanaearinenta (Cramer) Celtiscf.tenuifolia Nutt. (Celtaceae) [C] 18. SnoutButterfly. Feedson the
Sugarberry,orHackberry, Tycdup28"' _
"Sugarberry"and"Hackberry"referto April,changed29"'bred8"'May. Israre.
Dm,Vm,La,Pa
Celtis.
NOTES:thisdrawingwasfiguredinCalhoun(2004). Withtheexceptionoftheadultfigures,mostoiaduplicatedrawingbyAbbotwas
reproducedforPlate64ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837])(Calhoun2004). Scudder(1888-18889)identifiedtheplantinduplicate
drawingsasCeltisoccidentalis. SpeciesofLibytheinaehavelongbeencalled"Snout"butterflies.
19 Pyrisitialisa (Boisduval&LeConte) Sennaoccidentalis(L.)Link(Fabaceae) [C] 19. LittleyellowButterfly. Feedsonthe
Cassiatochidapersonabutismost
Dm,Df,Vm,La,Pa "Cassiatochidapersova"isanallusionto frequentontheCassiachamacusta. Tyed
Cassiafoetidaanditsauthor,C. H.Persoon up61'' Seprchanged7"'bredthe13"'.
(seetext);asynonymofS. occidentalis.
"Cassiachamacusta"isamisspellingof
Cassiachamaecrista L.,whichisasynonym
ofChamaecristafasciculata (Michx.)Green
(Fabaceae). Thisisalsoaconfirmed
hostplant.
NOTES:duplicatefigureswerereproducedforPlate 19ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837])toaccompanytheoriginaldescriptionofthis
species.
Volume 61, Number 1
Table 1. Continued.
Drawing Figuredadults Plantspeciesand Manuscriptentry bvJ.Abbot
No. andearlystages hoststatus
20 Euremadaira(Godart) Chamaecristafasciculata (Michx.)Greene[C] 20. BlackstreakedlittleyellowButterfly.
FeedsontheCassiachamacustaTyed
"Cassiachamacusta"isamisspellingofCassia itselfup27'''Augustchanged28''bredo'h
Dm,Df,La,Pa chamaecristaL.,whichisasynonymof Sep. Boththesekinds[thisandE.lisa;
Chamaecristafasciculata. drawingno. 197^common inallpartsof
theCountryinAutumn,andsettlesso
manytogetherattimestosuckmoist
placesinroadsb-c,thatIseen20inthe
compassofahat,butthisspeciesIsnot
quitesocommonasthelast.
NOTES:thewinter(dryseason)formofthespeciesisportrayed. AportionofaduplicatedrawingbyAbbotwasreproducedforPlate 18of
Boisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837]) (Calhoun2004).
21 Thonjbesbathyllus(J.E.Smith) Desmodiumsp.,possiblyD.paniculatum 21. Brown Skipper. FeedsontheBeggers
(L.)DC.(Fabaceae) [C]' lice,spun upintheleavesIS111Octrbred
Dm,Df,Vf. La,Pa "Begger'slice"referstothefigured 20thApril, isnotverycommon.
Desmodium.
NOTES:tillsdrawingwasreproducedinATLET(1983). ItwasalsofiguredbyReynolds(1983)andRogers-Price(1983). Portionsofa
duplicatedrawingbyAbbotwerereproducedforPlate74ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837]). LiketheAbbotdrawingusedforthe
originaldescriptionoiPapiliobathyllusinSmith6cAbbot(1797),thefemalesinthiscompositionmayportrayThonjbesconfusis Bell
(Calhoun2006a). TheplantwasidentifiedinATLET(1983)asDesmodiumfernaldii B.G.Schub. (Fabaceae).
Erynnismartialis(Scudder) Indigoferacaroliniana Mill. (Fabaceae) [E] 22. LeastDingy Skipper. Feedsonthe
WildIndigo,spun upintheleaves25'1'
Dm,Df,Vf,La,Pa IInndtihgiosfecraas,e,n"oWtialdspIencdiiegsoo"faBpappatriesnitalyreferstoJwuonoed,s,briesdm8utchJhullye.ssFcreoqmumeontnstthhaenOtahke
(Fabaceae). otherDingySkippers.
NOTES:thisspeciesisknowntofeedonlyonCeonothusamericanusL. (Rhamnaceae)ineasternNorthAmerica. Infact,Abbotillustrated
thisskipperwithC. americanusforanearliercomposition,callingtheplant"RedshankorredRoot." Hisnotesforotherdrawingsalsorefer
to"RedRootorredshank." Abbot'smistaken recollectionofanalternatehostmayhaveresultedindieinclusionof/, caroliniana. Hecalled
allthespeciesofthegenusErynnis"Ding)'Skippers,"aftertheEuropeanErynnistages (L.),whichhaslongbeencalleddie"dingyskipper"
inBritain
23 Pyrguscommunis(Grote) Sidaacuta Burm.f. (Malvaceae) [C] 23. BlackandwhiteSkipper. Feedson
theplantfigured. Spun upin theleaves
Dm. Df.Vf, La, Pa 25thJunebred7"'July. Istobemetwith
intheOakwoodsandfields,isnot
common.
NOTES:seeFig.3. "Thyniale"(amisspellingofthegenusnameThymeleFabricius)ispenciledonthedrawing,probablyinSwainson'shand.
TheskippersportrayedinthisdrawingarealmostcertainlyP. communis,asdiereisnoevidencediatdiesimilarPyrgusalbescensPlotz
occurredinGeorgiaduringAbbot'slifetime(seetext).
24 Problemahulenta (Boisduval& Le Panicumsp.,possiblyP. dichotomiflorum 24. FeedsontheBroadgrass,Xozani
Conte) Miclix.orP. virgatumL. (Poaceae) [NC/ aquaticafoldingitselfupintheleaf,
changed25'''bred6"'Augt. Frequents
Dm,Df,Vm,La, Pa "Broadgrass"referstotliisorasimilarspecies Ricefields,ditches,andthesidesof—
ofgrass. Abbotmisidentifiedthefiguredplant pondsinthelowerpailsofGeorgia i,
as "Zozaniaquatica", amisspellingofZizania notcommon.
aquaticaL. (Poaceae).
NOTES:duplicatefiguresbyAbbotwerereproducedforPlate67ofBoisduval&LeConte(1S29-[1837]),representingdie"original
description"ofthisspecies(seetext). Litdeisknownaboutthebiologyofdiisskipper. LarvaehavebeenfoundonSpartinacynosuroides
(L.)Roth(Poaceae)inNewJersey(Cromartie&Schweitzer1993)andsoudiwardithasbeenassociatedwithZizaniopsismiliacea (Michx.)
Doll&Asch.(Poaceae) (Opler&Krizek1984). LarvaehavealsobeenfoundandrearedonPhragmitesaustralis(Cav.)Trin.ex. Steud.
(Poaceae) (Schweitzer2006). AlthoughconfinedfemaleswillovipositonPanicum (Cromartie&Schweitzer1993),Abbotprobablydidnot
findlarvaeonit. ThisskippermayfeedonZ. aquaticaasAbbotindicated,orheconfusedthisgrasswididiesimilarZ. miliacea. Problema
bulentawaspossiblymoreplentifulinsouthernGeorgiawherericeplantationsofferedadditionalwetlandhabitat(seetext). AldioughAbbot
didnotprovideanEnglishnamefortheinsectinthisdrawing,heused"BroadgrassSkipperButterfly"forduplicatedrawings.
10 Journalofthe Lepidopterists' Society
Table 1. Continued.
Drawing Figuredadults Plantspeciesand Manuscript entrybvJ.Abbot
No. andearlystages hoststatus
25 Ancyloxyphanumitor(Fabricius) justiciaovata(Walter)Lindau 25. LeastSkipper. Feedson theplant
(Acanthaceae) [E] figured,changed12"'Scprbred22'1. Is
frequentinRicefieldsandMeadowy
Dm,Df,Vm,La, Pa partsofbrooks
NOTES:thisspeciesisagrass-feeder. Justiciagrowsinthewethabitatswherethisskipperoccurs,thusAbbotmayhaveconfusedthehost.
However,anearliercompositionofA. numitorincludesadifferenterroneoushost,Asclepiasverticillata L.(Apocynaceae),whichoccursin
drysoils. Abbotambiguouslyreferredtobothplantsas"theplantfigured,"suggestingthathedidnotrecalltheproperhostorinsertedthese
morecolorfulplantstoenhancehiscompositions.
26 Satyriumliparops(LeConte) Crataegussp.,possiblyC. nitidisL. 26. BrownhairStreakButterfly. Feeds
(Rosaceae) [C] ontheParsley haw,andOaks, Tyedup
16"'April,changed18thbred5"'May.
Dm,Df,La,Pa "Parsleyhaw"referstoCrataegus. ThisspeciesfrequentstheOakwoodson
"Oaks"(Quercus) (Fagaceae)arealsofedtheedgeofOgecheeRiverswamp, isvery
uponbyS. liparops. rare.
NOTES:unlikehisotherbutterflycompositions,theventralsurfaceofdieadultisnotportrayed. AnotherdrawingbyAbbotwasreproduced
onPlate31ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837])toaccompanytheoriginaldescriptionofthisspecies,whichremainedpoorlyunderstood
foroveracentury(SeeCalhoun2004,2005). Forotherdrawings,Abbotcalledthisspeciesdie"OgecheeBrownhairStreakButterfly,"a
misspelledreferencetotheoccurrenceofthisspeciesindievicinityofdieOgeecheeRiverofeasternGeorgia.
27 Callophryshenrici(Grote& Robinson) VacciniumcorymbosumL.(Ericaceae) 27. BlackbrownhairstreakButterfly.
[C] FeedsontheSwamphuckleberry,tied
itselfupIS"'April,changedthe20"'bred
Dm, Df,Vm,La,Pa "Swamphuckleberry"probablyrefersto 6"'May. TheButterflyfrequentsthe
thefiguredVaccinium,butthesame blossomsoftheRedbudorJudastree,on
plantisportrayedindrawingno.28 thebordersofSwamps,isfarfrom
underadifferentname. "Judastree"
referstoredbud(CerciscanadensisL.)
(Fabaceae). TheadultsthatAbbotsaw
frequentingtheblossomsofredbudmay
haveincludedovipositingfemales,asthis
treeisalsoaconfirmedhost.
NOTES:seeFig.4. DuplicatefiguresbyAbbotofthelarvaandpupawerereproducedforPlate31ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837]).
Abbotspelled"tied"inthenotesfordiisdrawing,butspelledit"Tyed"elsewhere. SeedietextandCalhoun(2006a)fordiscussionsof
Abbot'sunevenspellingandgrammar. Pupaeofthisspeciestypicallyoverwinter,butAbbot'snotessuggestthathislarvadevelopedintoan
adultduringthesameseason.
28 Calycopiscecrops(Fabricius) VacciniumcorymbosumL. (Ericaceae) 28. SmallpurpleHairstreakButterfly.
[NC] FeedsontheBlackHuckleberryire. tyed
Dm, Df,Vm,Lu,Pa up 28,hApril,changed20"'bred20"'
"BlackHuckleberry"apparentlyrefersto May. theButterflyisfrequentinmost
thedepictedVaccinium,butthesame partsoftheCountry.
plantisportrayedindrawingno.27
underadifferentname.
NOTES:thefemalebutterflyinthisdrawingwasmisidentifiedinATLET(1983)asdieNeotropicalspeciesStrymonmartialis Herrich-
Schaffer. ThedepictedplantwasidentifiedinATLET(1983)asGaylussaciafrondosa(L.)Torrey&A. GrayexTorrey. Thelarvaofthis
speciesisnotgreen,butratherbrownorpinkish-brown.
29 Cupidocornyntas(Godart) Phaseoluspolystachios(L.)Brittonetal. 29. LeastblueButterfly. Feedsonthe
(Fabaceae) [C] kindofwildpeafigured,RedRootor
Dm,Df,Vm,Lu,Pa redshankire. Tyeditselfup]une16"'
"RedRootorredshank"wasAbbot's bred24"'isnotcommon inthelower
nameforCeonothusamericanusL. partsoftheCountry.
(Rhamnaceae),anunlikelyhostforthis
legume-feeder.
NOTES:duplicatefigureswerereproducedforPlate36ofBoisduval&LeConte(1829-[1837]). Thelarvaexhibitsdarkpatternelements
diatarenotassociatedwiththisspecies.