Ceraunus Blue==Southern Blue Hemiargus ceraunus  gyas Immatures  Home  -  Butterflies  -  Details Female Eclosure     Male Eclosure       Specimen

Ova First instar eclosed September 25, 2008 #3 Molt to second instar  September 28, 2008 Photo on  September 30, 2008 Molt to third instar  October 2, 2008 Photo October 3, 2008 #3 Molt to Fourth instar on October 4th, photo October 4, 2008 -  lateral #3 Molt to Fourth instar on October 4th, photo October 4, 2008 - dorsal #3 Molt to Fourth instar on October 4th, photo October 6, 2008 -  lateral #3 Molt to Fourth instar on October 4th, photo October 6, 2008 - dorsal Prepupa Pupa Development - #3 Male Male pupa formed 10th of October 2008 Pupa showing dark eye on 18th of October 2008 Pupa showing development at 8 A.M. on the 19th of October 2008 Pupa development at 4:22 P.M. on 19th of October 2008  (30 minutes before eclosure) Photos ©Nicky Davis Les and Nicky Davis and Todd Stout located Female  on White Sweet Clover, Melilotus alba,  19 September 2008 at Welcome Spring, Washington County, Utah, elevation 4349 feet, N. 37.05.819, W. 113.54.672 The female oviposited on the buds, flowers, stems and leaves of White Sweet Clover - Melilotus alba. Difficulty in locating Melilotus this late in the year  in my area  necessitated using Snow peas and Sugar Snap peas, on which these larvae quickly matured to the pupa stage. I used the closed container method with half ounce solo cups, cleaning the cups and  changing the peas twice or three times daily especially for the 4th instars. Egg - 4 days Larva -  15 days - First Instar 3 days, Second Instar 4 days, Third Instar 2 days, Fourth Instar 6 days - incredible growth rate Pupa -  9 days Host Plant White Sweet Clover, Melilotus alba Snow Peas and  Sugar Snap Peas