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Thyrsus Dalea or Scruffy Dalea - Dalea scandens is the
host plant for Southern Dogface - Zerene cesonia cesonia.
Day-1 (9/16/2007) the Southern Dogface - Zerene cesonia cesonia
egg was laid on Thrysus Dalea or Scruffy Dalea - Dalea scandens.
Day-3 (9/19/2007) the caterpillar eclosed. It is 1mm. long.
Day-8 (9/24/07) from when egg was laid, Day-5 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar is 5mm. long.
Day-10 (9/26/2007) from when the egg was laid, Day-7 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar is 9mm. long, almost doubling in size in two days.
Day-15 (10/1/2007) from when the egg was laid, Day-12 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar is 18mm. long, re-doubling in size in 5 days.
Day-18 (10/4/2007) from when the egg was laid, Day-15 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar is 23mm. long.
Day-20 (10/6/2007) from when the egg was laid, Day-17 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar is 27mm. long, tripling in size in 10 days.
Day-30 (10/16/07) from when the egg was laid, Day-27 as a caterpillar.
The caterpillar made a "J" at ~0800hrs. Notice the "wing buds" that have formed at the true legs in thoracic
segments 2 and 3.
Day-30 (10/16/2007) from when the egg was laid, Day-1 as a chrysalis,
which was formed by ~1400hrs.
Day-36 (10/22/2007) from when the egg was laid, Day-6 as a chrysalis.
The details of the "dog face" pattern and the pink edge of the wing are clearly visible. This is the first day that
we could see the "dog face". Notice that it is the dorsal side of the wing that is showing.
Day-36 (10/22/2007) from when the egg was laid, Day-6 as a chrysalis.
The details of the "dog face" pattern and the pink edge of the wing are clearly visible. This is the first day that
we could see the "dog face". Notice that it is the dorsal side of the wing that is showing.
Day-38 (10/24/2007 at 0035hrs.) from when the egg was laid, Day-8 as a
chrysalis. The chrysalis is 22mm. long. This is its last day in the chrysalis. Notice that it is the dorsal
side of the wing that is showing.
Day-38 (10/24/2007 at 0315hrs.) from when the egg was laid, Day-8 as a
chrysalis. The chrysalis is 22mm. long. This is its last day in the chrysalis. Notice that it is the dorsal
side of the wing that is showing.
Day-38 (10/24/2007 at 0831hrs.) from when the egg was laid, Day-8 as a
chrysalis. The chrysalis is 22mm. long. This is its last day in the chrysalis. Note how much it has darkened
in the last 5 hrs. Notice that it is the dorsal side of the wing that is showing.
Day-38 (10/24/2007 at 0948hrs.) from when the egg was laid, and the butterfly
emerged. I was up all night waiting to catch it emerging from the chrysalis; I looked at the chrysalis at 0947hrs.,
turned away, looked back, and had missed the emergence! Some of these guys can come out in less than 10 seconds.
Day-38 (10/24/2007 at 1001hrs.) from when the egg was laid.
Day-38 (10/24/2007 at 1041hrs.) from when the egg was laid.
Day-38 (10/24/2007 at 1100hrs.) from when the egg was laid.
The Southern Dogface - Zerene cesonia cesonia was released on the same Thyrsus Dalea or Scruffy Dalea - Dalea
scandens, where the egg was laid.
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