Northern Cloudywing, Ova, Larvae -  Hesperidae Pyrginae Thorybes pylades

Home    -      Butterfly Index   -     Swallowtails    -   Whites and Sulphurs    -  Coppers, Hairstreaks,  Blues &  Metalmarks    -   Brushfoots     -      Skippers  
     Photo and Other Details     -    Characteristics and Utah Range  Map

ADULT        MALE EMERGENCE       PUPA
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ova
Female oviposited on 23 July 2009

24 July 2009

24 July 2009

Larva
First Instar - Emerged 28 July 2009


Second Instar - Molted 3 August 2009 - Photo 4 August 2009


Third Instar - Molted 9 August 2009


Fourth Instar - Molted 15 August 2009


Molting to Fifth Instar inside nest - 22 August 2009



Fifth Instar - Molted on 22 August 2009


Fifth Instar - Molted on 22 August 2009


Fifth Instar - Molted on 22 August 2009


Fifth Instar - Seemed to be hibernating 5 September 2009 - 1 1/16 inches long


Fifth Instar preferred resting inside a paper tube which it silked together


Tubes made of recycled paper towel were placed at the plant base and were spritzed daily to prevent dehydration.
The larva used both tubes to rest never frassing inside either tube.
Since the larva's feeding had slowed and then stopped, I thought it had hibernated.


The larva became active again on 6 September 2009 and fed until 14 September 2009.
Then it began running around the plant then into the tubes and out again.
 It finally settled back into a tube, silked it together and stayed there until it pupated
on 28 September 2009.


Having this bottomless soda bottle rest inside of the plastic tub and over the bouquet of host plants
helped keep the environment hydrated and kept the caterpillar inside

Photo and Other Details - ©Nicky Davis Female located by Todd Stout 20 July 2009 - Neff Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah Photos are of different stages of development of the ovum and larva. LIFE HISTORY: Ovum: 5 days Larva: 50 days Pupa:  15 days Adult:  unknown Broods: One Hibernation:  Usually hibernates as last instar, but this one went straight through using a lot of coaxing with light 24x7, temperatures close to 75 degrees,  spritzing and always fresh host plants. Larval Host  Plant:  Yellow Sweet Clover until no more fresh could be found.  The larva was then fed on Alfalfa leaves. Habitat: Woodland Back to Top