White-letter Hairstreak story
I've been rearing a few White-letter Hairstreak from ova this year, and the first larva has just pupated, so time to tell the story through pictures! First, the egg, looking very much like a saucer from outer space which over-wintered, with a fully-formed caterpillar inside.
- Ovum
Unfortunately, I failed to get any decent shots of the 1st instar larvae, as they immediately headed for the elm flower buds and seemed to disappear completely! However, the 2nd instar larvae were more-exposed, although perfectly camouflaged against the flowers and developing seeds (and they were quite variable in colour).
- 2nd instar larva
- 2nd instar larva
The 3rd instar larvae were also quite variable in colour, but started to move in earnest from the flower buds and developing seeds to the leaves - most of which weren't out yet. The last photo in this series shows how the larva plunged its neck into the developing buds and scooped out the contents - you can see an exit hole at the top! This photo is almost identical to an illustration in Frohawk's classic "The Natural History of British Butterflies". I'm wondering if this behaviour happens in the wild or, as so often happens, growth is accelerated in captivity (despite being kept outdoors!).
- 3rd instar larva
- 3rd instar larva
- 3rd instar larva
- 3rd instar larva
The final instar seemed to lose most of their variegated colouration, being a more-even green to match an elm leaf. The shape of the larva perfectly matched the outline of the elm leaves it fed upon.
- 4th instar larva
- 4th instar larva
The colour changed as the time to pupate arrived, when the larva turns a very dull green.
- 4th instar larva
And finally, the pupa is typically formed on the underside of a leaf, or on a twig, attached by a silk girdle and the cremaster.
- Pupa
Can't wait to see the adults!
Cheers,
- Pete
Hopefully it won't take too long to fix. But don't expect any photos for a while 
