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Corky Stem Passionflower - Passiflora suberosa,
fairly common in the Rio Grande Valley, is the specific host plant for the Mexican Silverspot, although four other Passionflower
species often occur together in the LRGV.
Mexican Silverspot - Dione moneta poeyii,
ovipositing on our Corky Stem Passionflower - Passiflora suberosa.
Day-1 (11/18/08) when the egg was laid.
Day-4 (11/21/08) from when the egg was laid. The egg has undergone
a color change from yellow to pink.
Day-5 (11/22/08 @ 1102hrs) from when the egg was laid. The egg
has turned almost black in color, indicating that eclosure will be soon.
Day-5 (11/22/08 @ 1737hrs) from when the egg was laid. Day-1
the caterpillar has just eclosed. The caterpillar is 2mm long.
Day-7 (11/24/08) from when the egg was laid. Day-3 from eclosing.
The caterpillar is 5mm long.
Day-10 (11/27/08) from when the egg was laid. Day-6 from eclosing.
The caterpillar is 7mm long.
Day-13 (11/30/08) from when the egg was laid. Day-9 from eclosing.
The caterpillar is 13mm long.
Day-16 (12/3/08) from when the egg was laid. Day-12 from eclosing.
The caterpillar is 18mm long.
Day-19 (12/6/08) from when the egg was laid. Day-15 from eclosing.
The caterpillar is 30mm long.
Day-22 (12/9/08) from when the egg was laid. Day-18 from eclosing.
The caterpillar is 40mm long.
Day-23 (12/10/08 at 0715hrs) from when the egg was laid. Day-19
from eclosing. The caterpillar has formed a "J".
Compare the Gulf Fritillary - Agraulis vanillae incarnata chrysalis
(at the top) with the Mexican Silverspot -Dione moneta poeyii chrysalis (at the bottom)
Day-25 (12/12/08) from when the egg was laid. Day-21 from eclosing.
The chrysalis was formed between 0001hrs and 0900hrs, beginning Day-1 as a chrysalis.
Day-32 (12/19/08 @ 1856hrs) from when the egg was laid. Day-28
fr0m eclosing. Day-8 as a chrysalis.
Day-32 (12/19/08 @ 2050hrs) from when the egg was laid. Day-28
from eclosing. Day-8 as a chrysalis. The chrysalis has started turning very dark, indicating emergence is soon.
Day-33 (12/20/08 @ 1611hrs) from when the egg was laid. Day-29
from eclosing. Day-9 as a chrysalis. The butterfly emerged one minute ago. I just missed getting
to photograph it emerging from the chrysalis.
Day-33 (12/20/08 @ 1624hrs) from when the egg was laid. Day-29
from eclosing. Day-9 as a chrysalis. The butterfly has almost completed filling its wings.
Day-33 (12/20/08 @ 1644hrs) from when the egg was laid. Day-29
from eclosing. Day-9 as a chrysalis. The Mexican Silverspot - Dione moneta poeyii is released onto
our Corky Stem Passionflower - Passiflora suberosa.
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