Finding Eggs in the Field > Eggs on Lower Half of Plant
Females of some species of butterflies prefer to lay eggs on the lower portion of the host plant.
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Pontia sisymbri Ovum
In the Western U.S., if you ever discover an Arabis plant in bloom around March, April, or May, you may find about a half a dozen pieried ova laid on the lower basal leaves and/or stems. Those eggs are spring whites (Pontia sisymbri).
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Anthocharis cethura pima Ovum
If you find a population of desert orangetips on the wing in March or April, check the ventral side of the lower leaves and stalks of its host mustards, Descurainia pinnata, Caulanthus lasiophyllum utahensis, or Streptanthella longirostris.
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Phyciodes mylitta lay eggs on lower leaves
This is a photo of the skeletonizing effects the larvae of Phyciodes mylitta. Females seem to prefer to oviposit on the lower leaves of bull thistles; especially in the fall on plants with new rosettes.
