Here is the last installment of the Brown Hairstreak story, which deals with the most important outstanding issue.......................................................is "Sue" (L3) a boy or a girl?
Both of the remaining pupae (L1 and L3) hatched within minutes of each other on the morning of 13th July. The pupal stages lasted 30 and 32 days respectively and followed on from the 32-day development stage of the male (L2) which culminated on 5th July. These early emergence dates were expected because the eggs hatched 2-3 weeks early. Eggs being monitored in the wild were also reported to have hatched at this same time and the first sighting of an adult was a male in Bernwood Forest, Buckinghamshire on 11th July. This compares with a first sighting date of 24th July last year and 13th July in 2008.
In my previous post I speculated that, based upon the relative broadness of the abdominal area of the pupa, L1 would be a female.
- Brown Hairstreak pupa (L1) 2-July-11 (top view - possible female)
- Brown Hairstreak pupa (L1) 2-July-11 (side view)
As the pupa gradually darkened-up the wing-case area began to show signs of dark orange colouration (Female!).
- Brown Hairstreak pupa (L1) 10-July-11 (3 days before hatching)
- Brown Hairstrteak pupa (L1) 12-July-11 (1 day before hatching)
In the meantime Sue (L3), remained typically mysterious because the pupa started off darker than usual and just continued to get darker, but the abdominal shape suggested a female.............and so she was
.
Hatching day was disappointingly overcast, so I concentrated on trying to get some record shots in the conservatory before risking outdoor shots at the release site in Crawley, Sussex. This turned out to be the right decision because only a few of the later images were worth keeping.
- Brown Hairstreak Female (L1) 13-July-11
- Brown Hairstreak Female (L1) 13-July-11
- Brown Hairstreak Female (L3) Sue/Susie 13-July-11 upon release
This has been an absolutly fascinating and enjoyable project for me and I am particularly greatful to Susie for her advice and encouragement. I hope that this has generated greater interest in the subject of "early stages" and thank everyone for their comments so far.
Some of the larval and pupal images will soon be posted in the appropriate sections of the Species Album.
Vince
