Hatching Eggs > Keep egg on original Leaf
The eggs of some species of butterflies can collapse or perish if they are cut out from the original leaf they were laid on, even if the egg remains in tact on the cut-out portion of this original leaf.
When the leaf section dries up with the egg attached, the hatch rate of eggs on some of these species can be negatively affected. Therefore, it is best to keep the egg on the original leaf it was laid on while keeping the leaf as succulent as possible either as a cutting or on potted host.
When the leaf section dries up with the egg attached, the hatch rate of eggs on some of these species can be negatively affected. Therefore, it is best to keep the egg on the original leaf it was laid on while keeping the leaf as succulent as possible either as a cutting or on potted host.
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Admiral egg on leaf
This is the egg of a weidemeyer's admiral (Limenitis weidemeyeri latifascia). Eggs of admirals, viceroys, and even sisters are best kept on the original leaf they were laid on until they hatch. If the leaf they were laid on dries up, the egg can collapse and perish as well. Simply take the sprig the leaf is on, place in bottled water and place that in a tub with 99 percent humidity. This technique is discussed in another section.
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Closeup of admiral egg
Here is a closeup of an egg of the weidemeyer's admiral.
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Pine White Eggs on Pinyon Pine
Because ova of Neophasia menapia overwinter, it is necessary to take the best care of them during the wintering process. Part of this entails keeping them on the pine needles they were laid on.
