This one is a Clouded Yellow, Colias croceus, or at least I think it is. The butterfly that laid it was a pale form and possibly could have been a Berger's Clouded Yellow, Colias alfacariensis. The only way I know to tell the two apart is by the caterpillar, but unfortunately I never found it!
This one was laid by a Cleopatra, Gonepteryx cleopatra. A few days later I saw a little caterpillar on the same leaf, but I didn't see it again after that despite looking on several occasions.
This egg was laid by a Swallowtail, Papilio machaon. When it was laid it was white and it turned yellow the first day. Three days later a brown line appeared around the egg and the next day it hatched.
Here it is chewing on its egg shell. Unfortunately, this was the last day of our holiday so I didn't get to see it develop any further. They grow into spectacular-looking caterpillars.
Hi Nick,
ReplyDeleteThe shots of the eggs and caterpillars are awesome! Did you take those with your 'wee Canon'? What model is it?
Sue from Peregrine
Hi Sue,
ReplyDeleteMy camera is a Canon Ixus 970. It is an amazing little camera. I have just bought a Panasonic Lumix FZ150, which has an amazing zoom and is the camera that many people recommend on butterfly forums. I have still to get to grips with it, which hasn't been easy as the weather has been grey and dark since I bought it!! The great feature of this camera is that I can zoom into butterflies that are as close as 1 metre, so I am far less likely to scare them away. The detail I have managed to get isn't as good as with the Canon yet, but I think with a little practice I should be able to improve on it.