Thought this was a blank egg

I found two Guava Skipper eggs on my guava tree that I thought were "blanks" (unfertilized eggs) - but when I uploaded them on my computer and zoomed it...it appears there is a small hole in each of them. These were laid too recently for a caterpillar to have hatched and there are no caterpillars in sight yet. Am thinking some type of assassin bug or other predator pierced the eggs and sucked the insides out. UGH!!!

You can see a small hole off center around where 11 o'clock would be.

~ Cat

This message was edited Jun 1, 2007 9:44 AM

Cat-
There was a very interesting article in American Butterflies that had to do with raising Swallowtails. She went on and on about "everyone"who could harm and or steal the eggs. It was enlightening...as is your picture.
Thank you for continuing to help me learn! :)

Adrienne

wow I can see the hole Cat

Adrienne,

Do you remember what issue that was? I just got vol 14 # 3/4 in today's post but haven't looked at it yet.

Yes Donna...I never could see it with my old eyes...glad for computer zoom. Am wondering if that's what happened to Debs TST egg and first instar cat.

~ Cat

Cat,
It's the most recent issue... so you've got it. It was a truly enlightening article and the Author made me feel like I'm not such a crazed fanatic!(compared to her) Hee,Hee! We truly have to be so dedicated to do this....staying up all night to watch,cutting host plants by flashlight and stressing over their every move! And I love every minute of it! It's been a wonderful hobby for me.

Adrienne

Adrienne,

Yes...I opened it up last and night and read through it. It is a great issue. So nice to see a nice thick magazine instead of the normal few pages they put out. Two issues combined into one...had lots of good info on hairstreaks and scrubs. Also noticed most of the photos are from around my area...Hidalgo County.

Ah...and I saw my Ornythion Swallowtail and Guava Skippers were listed at the back on the sightings page :o)

~ Cat

Cat - Your photo is so clear (and educational)! That is amazing that you were able to capture the hole in the photo! Just one more reason to put the eggs/cats into a cage. Your camera is exceptional!!! Thanks for enlightening all of us on this issue. It's a wonder any cats ever make to adulthood as a butterfly. Which makes them all that more special in my opinion. :-)