It's a Girl !

It's a Girl!

 Given Name:  Christine Grace

Binomial Name:  Pierus rapae (Linnaeus 1758)

July 11th, 2011

HT - 3 cm  WT - less than an ounce

Kingdom:  Animalia

Phylum:  Arthropoda

Class:  Insecta

Order:  Lepidoptera

Family:  Pieridae

Genus:  Pieris

Species: P. rapae

The First Photos - Post Metamorphosis 

 Click on any photo above to see a larger version

Yes she's here!  I overestimated her due date and yesterday afternoon was overwhelmed to witness her emerge from her cocoon.   The above photographs are in sequence of the moments that followed.  Within about 10 minutes, she discharged an orange-red fluid that I soon learned was the excess dye from her metamorphosis.  If you look closely, this happened between photos 4 and 5.  You can also see her antennae begin to rise  between photos 5 and 6.  

She began to flutter  and fly about 5 hours after she emerged and we opened the windows in the kitchen for her to leave.  But she decided to stay one extra night and the first photos above were taken this morning at about 8 am, shortly before she flew outside.   

I eventually named her LuLu the PuPa, but when I discovered she was a female, plus received a special package in the mail that I'll blog about later this week, decided she would have a new name as a butterfly - Christine Grace.

Gender of this species is determined by the spots on their wings and although they aren't both visible in the photographs above, she had two  spots on the middle of their forewings and males only have one. 

For those of you reading this post without her history - it's  here   

 Above - it seemed like only yesterday :0) - They grow up so fast!

PS - Thanks to everyone for their input on names, thoughts on the 'creepy factor' and RSVP's for dinner - my home is your home!  You're welcome anytime!