JCM Digital Imaging, based in Santa Clarita, California, since 1992
Sara Orange Tip [Anthocaris sara] Rearing Images
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These three images were taken on 4-1-2005 (no fooling!) and show a very freshly oviposited egg on a Mustard plant. I have not yet identified the plant species, but the adult seem to prefer these narrow-leafed mustards to the more common broad-leafed varieties. Note this egg was laid on a stem rather than a leaf.

A very freshly oviposited egg on a Mustard plant A very freshly oviposited egg on a Mustard plant A very freshly oviposited egg on a Mustard plant

On 4-13-2005, I spotted another female ovipositing and managed to find this egg on the underside of a leaf. Same type of narrow-leafed Mustard was used.

A partially developed egg on mustard in the field. A partially developed egg on mustard in the field. A partially developed egg on mustard in the field.





4-14-2005 a number of older ova are shown close-up, back in the lab/studio.

A partially developed egg on mustard back in the lab/studio. A partially developed egg on mustard back in the lab/studio. A partially developed egg on mustard back in the lab/studio. A partially developed egg on mustard back in the lab/studio.

A first instar larva, not long after hatching from its egg.

A first instar larva, not long after hatching from its egg. A first instar larva, not long after hatching from its egg. A first instar larva, not long after hatching from its egg. A first instar larva, not long after hatching from its egg.

5-6-2008 This is a USB microscope setup and egg-hatching sequences being filmed.

USB microscope setup used for filming the egg-hatching sequences nearly ready-to-hatch egg ready for filming uner the USB microscope nearly ready-to-hatch egg ready for filming uner the USB microscope Newly-hatched larva eating its eggshell under the USB microscope

5-9-2008 A nearly mature first instar larva on mustard host.

A nearly mature first instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larva on mustard host. A nearly mature first instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larva on mustard host. A nearly mature first instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larva on mustard host. A nearly mature first instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larva on mustard host.

A second instar larva, filmed on 5-12-2008

A second instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larva, filmed on 5-12-2008 A second instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larva, filmed on 5-12-2008





Third instar larvae filmed on various days from 5-15 through 5-20, 2008

Third instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larvae filmed on various days in May, 2008 Third instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larvae filmed on various days in May, 2008 Third instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larvae filmed on various days in May, 2008

Nearly mature fifth instar larvae, filmed 5-22-2008

Nearly mature fifth instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larvae, filmed 5-22-2008 Nearly mature fifth instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larvae, filmed 5-22-2008 Nearly mature fifth instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larvae, filmed 5-22-2008 Nearly mature fifth instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larvae, filmed 5-22-2008 Nearly mature fifth instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larvae, filmed 5-22-2008 Nearly mature fifth instar Sara Orange-Tip butterfly larvae, filmed 5-22-2008

In preparation for pupation, this caterpillar has spun a silk button to which is attaches a body part on its tail end, known as a Cremaster (much like the hook and loop fastening system of Velcro), as well as a silken loop which it spins around its upper body to help secure it in place. 5-24-2008

A Pre-Pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly caterpillar suspended by silken loop and button n preparation for pupation. A Pre-Pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly caterpillar suspended by silken loop and button n preparation for pupation.

These close-ups show freshly-pupated specimen in detail, including extreme macro shots of the cremaster and silk button attachment. 6-1-2008

Close-ups of Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa, and cremaster attachment Close-ups of Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa, and cremaster attachment Close-ups of Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa, and cremaster attachment Close-ups of Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa, and cremaster attachment Close-ups of Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa, and cremaster attachment

These images show how variable the pupae can be. Filmed on various dates from 5-2008 to 4-2012. Note that freshly-formed pupae are composed mainly of liquid inside, making them somewhat translucent - especially when held up to a strong light.

Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa, translucent when freshly-formed Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa, translucent when freshly-formed Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa, translucent when freshly-formed Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa Sara Orange-Tip butterfly pupa



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