Zerynthia rumina on Aristolochia macrophylla

[wollastoni]

Very interesting, thanks Jan !

[Adam Cotton]

It seems that several of these species weave a semi-cocoon before pupating.

Here is a sketch from Igarashi & Fukuda, 1997 of the pupa of Allancastria cerisy (note they place this in genus Parnalius) :



They state:

Only two cases of pupation have been observed: In one case, the pupa was found in a web of a considerable amount of silk covered with dry grasses near a foodplant. In the other case, the pupa was found tied with silk in a crack on the ground [Fig. A]. In both cases, the pupa was kept in an upright position with a line of silk tied to the apex, just as in other congeneric species, P. polyxena and P. rumina. The web consisting of a large amount of silk is peculiar to this species. Hibernation is in the pupal stage.

For Archon apollinus they write:

Pupation takes place underground. The larva makes a coarse cocoon in which it pupates. The depth of the place for pupation has not been observed in the wild. However, an observation in captivity that all the pupae were found at the bottom of the breeding box covered with a 10cm layer of earth suggests they pupate at a considerable depth in the wild. The larva may burrow into hard clay, indicating a considerable strength and digging capability of its mouth parts.

On Hypermnestra helios they write:

The matured larva buries itself in the ground to pupate. Although the depth of the pupation site in nature is unknown, a great depth, as shown by the root system of the foodplant, is probably required for it to endure the severe heat in the summer and the coldness of the winter.

Adam.

[wollastoni]

Splendid ! Congrats for all your babies !
Hope many will make through the whole process. Hope you will have many nice canteneri form too!