SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BUTTERFLIES

Pasma tasmanica (Miskin)   (Two-spotted Grass-skipper)

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First instar larva (2mm) just emerged from egg

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Second instar larva (3mm)

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Rolled-tube leaf shelter, typical of first and second instar stage larvae.

tasmanica_la_3rd.jpg (26771 bytes)

Third instar larva (6mm)

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Tip-folded leaf shelter constructed on weeping rice-grass by a third instar larva.

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Fourth instar larva (10mm)

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Early fifth instar larva (14mm)

tasmanica_la_5th_late.jpg (29355 bytes)tasmanica_la2_5th_late.jpg (28591 bytes)

Late fifth instar larva (20mm) near prepupa stage

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Head of fifth instar larva.
Long hairs below mouth are the antennae.

tasmanica_la_5th_shelter.jpg (30806 bytes)

Typical multi-leaved shelter constructed by fifth instar larvae,
in this example on weeping rice-grass.

Photography by R. Grund