Life History of the Common Mormon Interrupted

Think about it, a life history of a butterfly,

eclosure ( the butterfly emerging from it

pupa ), a wild specimen, is is simply

wonderful. I have always dreamed of

making a life history, and now here's the

story of a peculiar happening to my dream.

It all started after a party at my Aunt's house.

( already home ) I was just looking out of my

house when I spotted a female common mormon

butterfly flying around some plants. I was eager

to get its photo taken so I rushed down to where

it was. When I came, it was still there, gliding around.

Then I noticed it sort of landing one of the plants

( curry plant ) and trying to oviposit, as below.

Sorry, but you might have to click the image to

actually see the butterfly, as my camera had very

little battery by then, not even enough to zoom in.

Well then, getting excited? Let the life history begin!

This is the egg.( sorry that you have to click it, my camera

can't do super macro )

The egg is 1mm. Below: 1st instar caterpillar.

Below: 2nd instar caterpillar?

Later in stage? Sorry that this may not be accurate, as

I have not seen post on the common mormon

Then,.

Getting bigger......

And then,.

Finally! The final instar! It's gonna pupate!!!

I was all agitated, excited, as the caterpillar was

already at its final instar! It did move back to the plant

later on. I know, everyone is excited, all the action comes,

but sorry, something awfully terrible happened......

The next day it was there moving its head. Was it saying

goodbye to me? I am very superstitious, so I was sad

( coz' I thought it would die )

It rained when I was having lunch out. When I came back,

I wanted to check if the caterpillar had pupated. It was not there...

I looked everywhere, as it could be a pupa. Nope... No sign...

I was so sad that I went back home sitting on the sofa

and nothing could make me happy. There was no more

eclosure.................