leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Jun 28, 2015 18:20:34 GMT -8
I cannot resist.
I know the real reason way pupae turn??
They want an even sun tan.................................
Good night, I am going to bed....................
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saye
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Posts: 82
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Post by saye on Jun 30, 2015 11:03:00 GMT -8
@ Adam
I have assumed the illustration to be pointing to the tip of the abdomen and above the cremaster.
Indeed, the antennae were a characteristic I thought would stand out to some extent, but also abdomen width for the fact that female saturniids are quite larger in this respect, considering they are carrying all their ova at eclosion. I haven't yet compared all eight individuals (I'm not sure I will), but this imagined dimorphism doesn't seem to be present since some minor scrutiny is needed, as you've exemplified.
Thank you for pointing the technique out to me, it's a good tool I did not know of.
@ Bill
I suggested the minor experiment of setting an S. pyri pair in the fridge for a week and back to summer temperatures, but if we are to presume a sort of molecular clock, then the attempt might be useless, not to mention damaging. I find it hard to believe that no one has tried out such a simple thing.
Thank your for the contribution, and for the Fahrenheit conversion on the spot.
@ leptraps
Well, they wouldn't have to worry about bikini marks.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 30, 2015 13:05:36 GMT -8
Saye, Note the female has a genital pore on the segment just above the round anal area. If you compare it with the sketch of the male on the right you will find that the male has no pore on the segment. Here is a photo of male and female pupae of Papilio memnon to illustrate. Note the area ringed in red. There is a certain amount of variation both within (size of the female pore) and between species but this principle applies to all Lepidoptera.  I hope this helps make it clearer. Adam. |
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saye
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Post by saye on Jul 1, 2015 10:37:16 GMT -8
I suppose nothing's better than an exercise. If the suture-like characteristic (red circling) designates a female, then here are two female S. pyri. However, I found the lower orifice-like structure distinct enough, to the point it seems to be present on one individual and absent on the other. Do you happen to know why or what is it?  Edit: I opened another two cocoons, and as it happened, to find two males. Instead of a suture, they have a roundish dent. Their abdomens really are visibly smaller (less wide and long) and curved inwardly (looking at the pupae from below), meaning that this dimorphic characteristic is as obvious as expected. The width of the antennae is noticeable as well, as you reminded. Here are the two males and their different morphology (from the females, that is).  The two pairs and general size relation.  And antennae size relation of a pair.  Thank you for the help with this subject. |
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