Ellis' Blue  Euphilotes ellisii ellisii Immatures Home  -  Butterflies  -  Details Male #1 Eclosure    Male #2 Eclosure    Specimen

#2 Larva #3 Larva #4 Larva #2 Changed color prior to forming pupa This color shows the pale mark of the cervical shield #2 Changed color prior to forming pupa #2 Prepupa Pupae #1 New Pupa - 1 October 2010 #1 showed a pink eye line   19 October indicating development beginning #1 dark color showing as of 23 October 2010 #1 Showing Green Color #1 Pupa - 8:22 A.M. 26 October 2010 21 minutes before butterfly emerged Photos ©Nicky Davis LOCATION: On  20 September 2010 Jack Harry and Jack Wolfe located larvae on Eriogonum corymbosum 38 miles South of Price, San Rafael Swell, Emery County, Utah. I was given four of these to rear. I fed these third and fourth instars on Eriogonum corymbosum until  the plant was no longer available.  I  switched to Eriogonum racemosum for the last  two or three days before the larvae pupated.  Although they were not enthusiastic about the change in food plant, they all made it to pupa. LIFE HISTORY: Ova:  no samples located Larvae:  No first instars were located to time as larvae not known Pupae:  25-30 days.  These usually hibernate as pupae.  They were  coaxed into skipping hibernation by using light 24x7, misting daily the inside of the bottles that covered each container and the pupae themselves and keeping them at 75 to 78 degrees temperature. Adult:  unknown..but about two weeks Adult:  Unknown - but about two weeks Broods:  One Hibernation:  Overwinter as pupae.  These pupae need to be taken out of winter hibernation when  spring weather arrives. They need to be exposed to natural light so they will begin development at the right time for the butterfly to emerge at the same time that the host plant flowers bloom. Host Plant For photos of host plant , click on Crispleaf Buckwheat - Eriogonum corymbosum Redroot Buckwheat - Eriogonum racemosum