Eurema Hecabe - Life Cycle

Life Cycle

Eggs are laid on Abrus precatorius, Acacia spp., Aeschynomene spp., Albizzia spp. and numerous other Leguminosae, Euphorbiaceae and Cucurbitaceae species.

Studies suggest that the females can discriminate colours when choosing host plants for oviposition.

Larva: "Long, green, rough, cylindrical, or slightly depressed, with a large head."

Pupa: "Suspended by the tail and by a moderately long band; the abdominal segments are round, but the thorax is much compressed, the wing-cases uniting to form a deep sharp keel. The head-case terminates in a short pointed snout. Ordinarily the pupa is solitary and green, but sometimes on a twig in large numbers. Many Pierine and other larvae seek each others company at that time. Having selected a dead branch of some neighbouring bush, they acquired the colour of their surroundings as nearly all Pierine and Papilionine pupae do to a greater or less extent."

This species has been found to be parasitized by multiple strains of Wolbachia. These bacteria can alter the sex-ratios of the species.

• Egg

• Larva (caterpillar)

• Pupa