Atlides halesus corcorani

Photo Life History: Atlides halesus corcorani

Habitat:  Pinyon Juniper; Desert Hills & Mountains; Desert Washes

Host Plants:  Phoradendron juniperinum; Phorodendron californicum; Phoradendron densum; Phoradendron macrophyllum

Suitable Lab Host Plants: Many species of mistletoe will serve as suitable lab hosts.   

How to Care for Live Female Butterflies:  Click here.

Methods of Female Oviposition:  Open Screen Cages; Portable Cages; Potted Plant Sleeves.

How to Find Eggs: Not generally productive.

How to Hatch Eggs:  Keep egg on original leaf; Separate eggs individually

How to Find Caterpillars in the Field: Not generally productive.  The key is to obtain eggs from females.

Caterpillar setups:  Closed Container; Twin Cup Method; Netted Sleeve

Larva to Pupa:  

How to Find Pupae in the Field: 

Number of Broods per Year:  1-3

Overwintering Stage:  Pupa

Overwintering Strategies:  Your Own Backyard; Refrigerator

Post-Hibernation Strategies: Pupae will hatch when exposed to warmer temperatures.

Avoiding Diapause Techniques:  Healthy Host Plant.

Disease Prevention:  Change out host plant and remove frass every day in closed container.  Change out host plant and remove frass every four to five days in open terrarium.

Emergence:  Emergence Container

Field Notes:  See Clark Thompson's slide show for this and other helpful hints on rearing this butterfly.