Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1214414

Observation date: May 12, 2019
Date notes: 05/12/19 is the exact collection date of four adult C. polios obscurus specimens for the purpose of breeding/rearing.
Submitted by: A_baldini
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Four adult Callophrys polios obscurus specimens were collected on 05/12/19; all were placed in a large mesh enclosure with flower (assorted species) and Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi; obtained from the Gardens on Spring Creek plant sale on 05/11/19) cuttings. Seven ova were located on the bearberry cuttings on 05/15/19. One ovum hatched on 05/21/19, and another on 05/22/19; the remaining five ova were infertile, and thus never hatched. On 05/24/19, the caterpillar that hatched on 05/22/19 became deceased, leaving only the 05/21/19 caterpillar remaining. The remaining caterpillar was successfully reared to pupa, entering 2nd instar on 05/28/19, 3rd instar on 06/06/19 and 4th instar on 06/12/19. It began preparing to form a prepupa on 06/22/19, and then pupated on 06/26/19. The imago will not emerge from the pupa this year. The pupa will be returned on 07/26/19 to the location where the four adult specimens were originally found. Pictured here are (in order of the pictures): 2nd instar caterpillar, one of the four adult specimens, one of the seven ova, 1st instar caterpillar, 4th instar caterpillar, and pupa.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: October 04, 2019
Coordinator notes: Here are the exact coordinates where I captured the four adult Hoary Elfins (it's also on the sighting map): 40.685546, -105.495919. I think you are the first to rear polios through in Colorado from eggs to pupa.....good job. You should just write the location. It makes it easier to check on the Delorme Topo Maps in case you want to quickly check for county records or range extensions.....I did find polios once west of Fort Collins. Mike
Checklist region(s): United States, Colorado, Larimer County