Western Sulphur
Colias occidentalis pseudochristina
Female Eclosure

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Photo Details - ©Nicky Davis
Located females at Strawberry Reservoir June 24, 2008. 
Elevation 7709 feet
Coordinates  North 40.09.85, West 111.11.517

Photos of Female Eclosure

Oviposited  June 25-27, 2008 some on lathyrus lanswardi but mainly Astragalus cicer. Eclosed in three to four days and were set on Astragalus cicer to feed.  Although they were kept in light 24x7, they all hibernated as third instar.  They were put in a refrigerator July 23, 2008 at about 40 degrees and after a couple of months were transferred to a refrigerator at 32 F..  On May 8, 2009 the third instars were taken out and placed on Astragalus cicer where they began feeding again.   May 14th  they molted to fourth instar.  On May 18, 2009 they molted to fifth instar.


Larva
Photos  of First through Third Instar in 2008 and the last two instars  in 2009.

Time spent
as ovum = 4 days
Larva=  about twelve days in 2008 and  about 18 days in 2009
Pupa =  7 - 8 days


Host Plant
Oviposited on Alpine Astragalus, Astragalus arcticus
Some were reared on Chickpea Milkvetch, Astragalus cicer

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