Erynnis persius fredericki

Photo Life History: Erynnis persius fredericki

Habitat:  Mountain Hilltops

Host Plants:  Lupinus argenteus

Suitable Lab Host Plants: 

How to Find Female Butterflies:  Click here.

How to Care for Live Female Butterflies:  Click here.

Methods of Female Oviposition:  

How to Find Eggs:

How to Hatch Eggs: Consolidate eggs into one container

How to Find Caterpillars in the Field: Look for Skipper Nests. Late instar nests and larvae can be very common if found in the heart of their habitat; which is towards mountain hilltops where Lupinus argenteus is common.  (See notes below.)

How to Find Pupae in the Field: 

Caterpillar setups: Open terrariums; Open Bucket;

Larva to Pupa:  Larva Changes Color.

Number of Broods per Year: 1

Overwintering Stage:  Mature Fifth Instar Larva

Overwintering Strategies: Your Own Backyard; Refrigerator

Post-Hibernation Strategies:  Expose mature last instar larvae to warmer temperatures, long-day photoperiod, and humidity.  They should pupate within 14 days of being exposed to these conditions.

Avoiding Diapause Techniques:  

Disease Prevention:   Change out host plant and remove frass every four or five days.  Caterpillars can get sick in a closed container if overexposed to their own frass.

Emergence:  Emergence Container

Field Notes:  Late instar larvae can be extraordinarily common on Lupinus argenteus the first week of August here.