SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BUTTERFLIES

Polyura sempronius (Fabricius)    (Tailed Emperor)

Newly laid egg

Fertile egg, two days old, that has acquired the purplish-brown apical ring

Egg, three days old showing the apical depression starting to form

Egg, four days old on leaf of Robinia foodplant

Photography by R. Fisher

Egg showing the developing mandibles (mouth parts) of the larva inside the egg

Egg, six days old, and eight hours before hatching.
The mandibles of the larva are on the right hand side

Egg, six days old, and two hours before hatching.
The mandibles of the larva are now at the top of the egg as it slowly eats open the egg.
A small opening has already been formed by the 'egg tooth',
seen in the middle of the reflective white patch near the top of the egg

Photography by R. Grund except where noted