Scudder's Sulphur, Ova and Larva, 2008- Colias scudderii scudderii

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Scroll down for all photos of  LARVAE.  For other photos and information, click on

FEMALE      MALE      FEMALE EMERGENCE 2008       FEMALE EMERGENCE 2009      MALE EMERGENCE      LARVA 2009      PUPA - 2008      PUPA 2009     SPECIMEN

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Ova
Oviposited on July 28th, photo on July 29th, 2008
on July 29th
Oviposited on July 28th, photo on July 30th, 2008 showing development.  Hatched August 1st.
on July 30th
Larva
1st instar just hatched August 1, 2008
newly hatched

Molted to 2nd instar on August 6th, photo taken on August 7th, 2008
2nd instar on August 7th


Molted to 3rd instar on August 10th, photo taken August 13th, 2008 - dorsal view
molted to 3rd instar on August 10, photo August 13th


Molted to 3rd instar on August 10th, photo taken August 13th, 2008 -  lateral view
3rd instar


Molted to last instar on August 21st, photo taken August 21, 2008 - partial dorsal
4th instar

Molted to last instar on August 21st, photo taken August 21, 2008 - lateral
4th instar

Last instar on August 24th
5th instar

Last instar on August 24th
5th instar

Pre-Pupa
Formed "J" on August 26, 2008
pre-pupa

Photo and other Details - ©Nicky Davis

Two females located by Todd Stout on Murdock Mountain. On July 27, 2008, Jack Harry, Les Davis and I located two females past mm 27 along the Mirror Lake Highway, Duchesne County, Utah.  All females were returned to the same area after we obtained these eggs.
N. 40.40.881, W. 110.55.165
Elevation 10,349 feet

Ova
These females oviposited 160 ova on an unknown Vaccinium  within a couple of days.  They hatched after four days.

Larva
We put the larvae on Salix exigua (Brush Willow)  which they refused to feed on, and all but 50 died.  We  moved the surviving 50 larvae to Diamondleaf Willow, Salix planifolia  which was growing at the same location in which the females were flying.  The larvae fed on that plant just fine.  I kept them under light 24x7, nevertheless they all hibernated except one.

Pupa
A pupa formed August 27, 2008 and a female butterfly hatched after six days.

Host
The females oviposited on an unknown vaccinium and the larvae fed on  D. Willow - Salix planifolia.  After hibernation, they fed on Salix exigua.  For photos of the host plant used, click on

Diamondleaf Willow, Salix planifolia
Salix exigua

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