Third Instar
The third instar larva developed
numerous small white hairs on its body
and the pink markings on the larva
darkened. The third instar lasted about 9
days and the body length increased to 12
-23mm.
Day 18
Day 24
Day 19
Day 21
Day 26
Day 25
Fourth Instar
The fourth instar larva was similar to the third instar larva. The larva started feeding on the leaf at a faster rate and the
marking darkened further. The fourth instar stage lasted about 6 days and the body length increases to about 23—27mm.
Day 27
Day 28
Day 29
Day 31
Day 32
Fifth Instar
Final instar larva was similar to the fourth instar larva. The final instar larva fed on leaves at a faster rate and grew to a
maximum length of 34mm. After five days, the larva stopped feeding on the leaves and started searching for suitable place to
pupate. The larva chose the stem of the host plant to pupate and gradually reduced its body length to 25mm. The larvae
remained stationary and pupated after two days.
Day 33
Day 34
Day 35
Day 37
Day 38
Pupation
The chrysalis was pale green in colour. It measured 15mm in size. The chrysalis turned
darker to brown day by day. On the 7th day, the pupal case became transparent
showcasing the ring marking of the butterfly. On the 8th day, the adult butterfly
emerged out of chrysalis by mid-afternoon and was seen resting upside down, drying its
wings and ejecting Meconium.
Day 44
Day 47
Day 48
27
Eclosion
Day 48
Life cycle by: H. Theivaprakasham