The discovery of the 1871 journal of Theodore L. Mead provides an opportunity to establish a more accurate itinerary of his exploration of Colorado that summer. The provenance of Mead's manuscripts, including this journal, is summarized. The history of Mead's expedition and the subsequent distribution of his butterfly specimens are reviewed. Despite the general belief that Mead participated in the Wheeler Survey, there is no evidence to support this claim. Information is presented on three significant localities where Mead collected butterfly type specimens: Kenosha House (figured and mapped), Turkey Creek Junction (=Bradford Junction; figured and mapped), and Twin Lakes (mapped). Based on Mead's actual whereabouts, type localities are clarified for 19 nominal taxa: Pamphila colorado Scudder, Pamphila nevada Scudder, Hesperia dacotah W. H. Edwards, Hesperia napa W. H. Edwards, Anthocaris [sic] Coloradensis H. Edwards, Colias hagenii W. H. Edwards, Argynnis helena W. H. Edwards, Argynnis meadii W. H. Edwards, Grapta hylas W. H. Edwards, Melitaea eurytion Mead, Melitaea calydon Holland, Phyciodes nycteis var. drusius W. H. Edwards, Phyciodes camillus W. H. Edwards, Phyciodes emissa W. H. Edwards, Erebia rhodia W. H. Edwards, Thecla ninus W. H. Edwards, Chrysophanus sirius W. H. Edwards, Lycaena daunia W. H. Edwards, and Lycaena melissa W. H. Edwards. Based on the lectotype and type locality of P. colorado, Hesperia comma oroplata Scott should be treated as a synonym. The type locality of M. eurytion is fixed through a lectotype designation and the conceptual history of this nominal taxon is explored. Events related to the selection of the lectotype of L. melissa are reviewed in detail.

A reevaluation of the lectotype and type locality of Pamphila (=Hesperia) colorado Scudder indicates that populations in Colorado which were described as Hesperia comma oroplata Scott (=H. colorado oroplata) are synonymous. Based on an examination of numerous specimens, a new subspecies is described for alpine (mainly above timberline) populations in Colorado, which were previously attributed to the nominotypical subspecies. Patterns of geographic variation observed among subspecies of H. Colorado in Colorado and bordering states are also reviewed.

The morphology of the reproductive systems and the coupling mechanism between the male and the female genitalia during copulation in Dioryctria rubella Hampson are described. Differing from those in other genera of Phycitinae moths, the corpus bursae possesses a well-developed signum, and the seminal duct does not exhibit a bulla seminalis, instead arising from the ventral surface of the corpus bursae. The ultrastructural observation shows that the spines on the inner surface of the ductus bursae and the cervix bursa are complementary to that of cornuti on the outer surface of vesica in position and direction, which elucidates the matching mechanism between the ductus bursae and the vesica. The male possesses well-developed scale brushes, which consist of six pairs of overlapped structures. Finally, the morphological differences of scale brushes between D. rubella and other Dioryctria species and related genera, and their function during copulation are discussed.

Tiger swallowtail butterflies in the genus Papilio have an ability to visually distinguish between a large array of colors including those in the ultraviolet spectrum (UV). However, very little is known about UV reflectance patterns in these butterflies. Using a combination of UV photography and spectral analysis, we here show that several areas on the wings of tiger swallowtails reflect UV light including areas of blue scaling and the anterobasal region of the hind wings. We also discuss how a low level of UV reflectance from the wing membrane itself may be combined with UV photography to quantify wing wear. This technique could be used to objectively place wild-caught individuals into wear classes, approximating their age. Finally, we examine male mating preferences for pristine or artificially aged females and present preliminary results that suggest a strong preference for those that are pristine.

Pelochrista sullivani new species, and Pelochrista lynxana, new species, are described, respectively, from coastal savannah habitat in Mississippi and North Carolina and from prairie/glade habitat in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Ohio. Four species with similarities to the new taxa are reviewed, Pelochrista matutina (Grote), Pelochrista fiskeana (Kearfott), Pelochrista pandana (Kearfott) and Pelochrista symbolaspis (Meyrick), with P. pandana being recognized as a junior synonym of P. fiskeana. Also reviewed is Pelochrista notialis (Miller), a taxon once confused with P. matutina.