www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Earlier in the summer I saved some Orange Tip larva from the Council's 'Grim Reaper'. During the course of their development on Garlic Mustard I suddenly discovered one that I had not previously noticed before, because it was so perfectly camouflaged. This turned out to be a Green Veined White larva which subsequently pupated. Here are a few photos which document it's development. The image of the egg was added in 2013.
This was 2 days before hatching
2 hours before hatching and every detail is visible
Drying her wings
Ready to go
I will be posting this series of photos in the Species Album shortly.

Vince

Very nice Vince
Neil

Vince Massimo wrote:I will be posting this series of photos in the Species Album shortly.

Good man. Thanks Vince! Definitely fill some gaps there

Cheers,

- Pete

Gorgeous.

I admire your perseverence.

Lovely butterfly.

Dave

Thank you all for your comments. I had a bit of luck, particularly regarding the timing of the hatching. Also, the pictures with the dark background were the result of a happy combination of factors. I needed somewhere sheltered to take the photos, but with lots of natural light, so I took them in the shed with the sun coming through the open door. In order to avoid a cluttered background, I draped a dark sheet over the lawnmower and other bits of assorted gardening equipment and ended up with an unusual result.

I have some Orange-Tip pupa which I have now placed in a secure and sheltered spot on the back garden where they will over-winter. Also, as of last week, a load of Small White eggs which I watched being laid on the wild rocket plants I was growing in a pot outside the back door. I will be monitoring the development of both species and posting photos in due course.

Vince

EDIT 2014
A fuller report can now be found here: viewtopic.php?t=7520&start=10000