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Early stages of Plains Blue Royal (Tajuria jehana)
Fourth instar and Fifth instar
The fourth instar and fifth Instar had a very
short period. The caterpillar was more
active both day and night. The fourth instar
stage lasted for three days and the fifth
instar stage lasted for two days. After the
fifth Instar stage, the caterpillar started its
transformation to chrysalis stage.
Fourth Instar
Fifth Instar
Chrysalis
Pupation in progress
Pupa
The chrysalis of this species is different
when compared to other caterpillars from
lycaenidae family. The head portion of the
caterpillar stuck onto the leaf strongly and
its body started to turn rigid. After a day,
the caterpillar completely turned into
chrysalis.
Adult
The chrysalis eclosed
after nine days into a
beautiful adult with
bright blue open wing.
The
complete
metamorphosis
of
butterfly from the
oviposition of egg to
emergence of adult
butterfly
from
chrysalis
were
completed in 24 days.
PATTAMPOOCHI
A TNBS MAGAZINE
WINGS 3 VEINS 3
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