FEMALE Calpodes caterpillar? - Calpodes ethlius

Moved

… john and jane balaban, 22 May, 2011 - 7:53pm

Pubert Addams

never heard about insect larvae having ovaries... sounds, well, unorthodox -- but who knows

… v belov, 16 May, 2011 - 11:08pm

I know that as soon as certai

I know that as soon as certain female Lepidoptera hatch they lay eggs. Some pupations are very brief. The other possibility parasitized.

… Colette Micallef, 16 May, 2011 - 11:29pm

Do we know if this species does this?

I don't think I know of this happening in the hesperiidae. The only groups I have heard of have been moths. Of course I could be wrong, but if we aren't positive this is a species that does produce eggs in the last larval instar then I don't think we should be calling it a female. It could be parasitized, have a fungus, or something else going on.

… Natalie Hernandez, 17 May, 2011 - 5:09pm

thanks, Colette

well, in the case you describe it would indeed make sense to have the gonads develop early... wow.
attests well to my deep and utter ignorance of all matters lep ))

… v belov, 16 May, 2011 - 11:46pm