Re: Maximus
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 6:36 pm
Taking another look at the photos, Wurzel, it looks like the larva do actually hatch from the bottom of the egg. Looks like they chew around the bottom edge but not quite all the way around. They appear to leave a ‘flap’ of eggshell to keep the eggs below attached and have just enough space to crawl out. Amazing that they know just how much to leave uncut
It is fascinating, Katrina, there’s always something more to learn.
Thanks, David, another butterfly that would make a great addition to the the UK list. Apart from the possibility that the strings of eggs resemble nettle flowers, I also cannot think of a another reason for this strategy.
Thanks, Dave, I’m also fairly sure that this species would be most welcome in the UK. Although they spend the winter as a pupa, I don’t think this would be a problem, as the winter weather here in northern France is the same as in the south of the UK.
Since moving to France, and having a large garden, we have been spending plenty of time working outside. One thing guaranteed to stop work is whenever a Swallowtail appears. We will never tire of watching them gliding majestically around our garden, before finally being lost from view either in search of nectar or to oviposit on the fennel, of which there is plenty.
I must have missed the first instar, but I think that these are second, third and fourth instar stages.
We have two 2nd instar and two 4th instar cats windowledging at the moment, as the fennel was flattened by todays strong wind and heavy rain.
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
It is fascinating, Katrina, there’s always something more to learn.
Thanks, David, another butterfly that would make a great addition to the the UK list. Apart from the possibility that the strings of eggs resemble nettle flowers, I also cannot think of a another reason for this strategy.
Thanks, Dave, I’m also fairly sure that this species would be most welcome in the UK. Although they spend the winter as a pupa, I don’t think this would be a problem, as the winter weather here in northern France is the same as in the south of the UK.
Since moving to France, and having a large garden, we have been spending plenty of time working outside. One thing guaranteed to stop work is whenever a Swallowtail appears. We will never tire of watching them gliding majestically around our garden, before finally being lost from view either in search of nectar or to oviposit on the fennel, of which there is plenty.
I must have missed the first instar, but I think that these are second, third and fourth instar stages.
We have two 2nd instar and two 4th instar cats windowledging at the moment, as the fennel was flattened by todays strong wind and heavy rain.