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Threelobe False Mallow - Malvastrum coromandelianum, an
abundant host plant in the Lower Rio Grande Valley for Common/White Checkered-Skipper.
Day-2 as an egg (egg laid on 4/7/2008).
Day-7 (4/14/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-2 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar is ~6mm long.
Day-7 (4/14/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-2 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar is ~6mm long. This is the first day the caterpillar makes a nest between two leaves.
Day-10 (4/17/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-5 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar made a nest between two leaves.
Day-10 (4/17/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-5 as a caterpillar.
The nest was opened to reveal the caterpillar, which is still ~6mm long.
Day-14 (4/21/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-8 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar is 8mm long.
The following sequence of nine images show the caterpillar building its
nest:
Day-18 (4/25/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-12 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar is feeding and is 20mm long.
Day-18 (4/25/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-12 as a caterpillar.
Start: The caterpillar reaches to pull leaf towards itself.
Day-18 (4/25/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-12 as a caterpillar.
56 mins. from start: The caterpillar has pulled leaf that is on
the left over to the base leaf and has begun attaching threads to the leaf on the left.
Day-18 (4/25/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-12 as a caterpillar.
61 minutes from start: The caterpillar is continuing to attach
the two leaves together, and it is beginning to roll the right leaf into a tube.
Day-18 (4/25/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-12 as a caterpillar.
62 minutes from start: Lines are continuing to be attached and
pulled together as the tube is tightening.
Day-18 (4/25/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-12 as a caterpillar.
62 1/4 mins. from start: The tube is continuing to tighten.
Day-18 (4/25/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-12 as a caterpillar.
62 3/4 mins. from start: The caterpillar has made its tube.
The leaf on the left is being pulled towards the tube to act as a back, closed door.
Day-18 (4/25/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-12 as a caterpillar.
68 mins from start: The door is closing.
Day-18 (4/25/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-12 as a caterpillar.
92 mins. from start: The tube has been rolled, and the back door
is almost pulled shut. When the process is complete, the caterpillar will turn around, placing its head at the end away
from this back door.
Day-22 (4/29/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-16 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar is in its nest.
Day-22 (4/29/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-16 as a caterpillar.
The nest is opened to measure the caterpillar, which is 21mm long.
Day-24 (5/1/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-18 as a caterpillar.
Day-24 (5/1/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-18 as
a caterpillar. This is its last day as a caterpillar.
Day-25 (5/2/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-1 as a pupa.
Day-30 (5/7/2008) from when the egg was laid, Day-6 as a pupa.
Day-34 (5/11/2008 at 0002hrs.) from when the egg was laid, Day-10 as
a pupa. This is the last day as a pupa.
Day-34 (5/11/2008 at ~1545 hrs.) from egg. The Common/White
Checkered-Skipper - Pyrgus c. communis/Pyrgus albescens emerged and was released.
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