Colotis lais (Butler, 1876)

Terblanche, Reinier F., 2023, Colotis lais (Butler, 1876) and Colotis euippe omphale (Godart, [1819]) use Cadaba aphylla (Thunb.) Wild LC as a host-plant at Tswalu Kalahari, Northern Cape Province, South Africa), Metamorphosis 34 (1), pp. 105-112 : 108

Descriptions of C. lais and C. euippe omphale final instar larvae from Tswalu Kalahari

C. lais final instar larva ( Fig. 9 ). Larva cylindrical. Ground colour of the larva uniform light green and the head slightly darker green. A series of lateral yellow spots present; each yellow spot associated with a spiracle. Pair of black markings envelope each of the lateral yellow spots, associated with the spiracles, at abdominal segments. Supraspiracular black spots which are separate from each of the lateral, black-enveloped, yellow spots at abdominal segments. Black markings, fused with the lower parts of lateral yellow markings at the thoracic segments of the larva. Small dorsal spot present at each abdominal segment, excluding the first abdominal- and last few abdominal segments. Small dorsal spots also present at thoracic area. Larva richly endowed with short hairs. C. euippe omphale final instar larva ( Fig. 10 ). Larva cylindrical with slightly hump-shaped thorax. Background colour dull green. Characteristics correspond to those described in Van Son (1949) based on the work by Clark, notably the pale green ground colour with yellow, white and black colouration around the spiracles; body sparingly covered with setae on moles, some having a drop liquid at their ends ( Van Son, 1949). Lateral black dots associated with an upper pale grey splash-like mark (referred to as white by Van Son, 1949) fused with a lower yellow splash-like mark, at most of the abdominal segments.

Figures

Figure 9 – Final instar larva of Colotis lais. The larva was collected on 19 December 2021 on Cadaba aphylla shrub C aphy 13, north of the Dedeben Research Centre, Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa. The larva had been successfully reared on new shoots (young stems with small leaves) of Cadaba aphylla. The CRG reference number for this larva is RFT21H78. Photo: R.F. Terblanche.

Figure 10 – Final instar larva of Colotis euippe omphale collected on 3 January 2022 on Cadaba aphylla shrub C aphy 11, near the Dedeben Research Centre in Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa. The CRG reference number for this larva is RFT22H2. Photo: R.F. Terblanche.