| Melissa Blue Plebejus melissa melissa Male Eclosure |
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| Immatures Adults Female Eclosure Specimen |
| #3 Male Eclosure - 10:40 A.M. August 23, 2008 |
| PHOTO DETAILS -
©Nicky Davis Photos of an Adult Male emerging from #3 pupa - August 23, 2008 After trying for 2 or 3 years to rear some Plebejus melissa melissa from Butterfield Canyon, we finally did it. Previously we tried to have a female oviposit on Lathyrus, Hedysarum and Medicago sativa. Then on July 19, 2008, while up Butterfield Canyon, my husband noticed a female trying to oviposit on some Astragalus cicer which is there in abundance. That was the missing ingredient. We brought the female home and she oviposited on the cicer. Butterfield Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah Lat 40°29' 73" N Long 111°57'26" W. Elevation 4470 feet Life History Ova- Oviposited 7-20 to 7-24- 2008 (5 days as ova) Larvae: First instar emerged 7-24 to 7-28-2008 (5 days as first instar) Molted to Second instar 7-27 to 8-01-2008 (3 days as second instar) Molted to Third Instar 7-30 to 8-04-2008 (5 days as third instar) Molted to Fourth Instar 8-04 to 8-09-2008 (7 days as fourth instar) Prepupa 8-11 to 8-16-2008 ( 3 days as prepupa) Pupae: 9 days as pupae Host Plant
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