DESERT BUTTERFLIES: HOW THEY SURVIVE IN ARID CONDITIONS?

The Felder’s orange-tip (Anthocharis cethura) butterfly, delays hatching for 5 to 6 years until the desired food plants are available.
Great orange tip (male)
The Felder’s orange-tip (Anthocharis cethura) butterfly, delays hatching for 5 to 6 years until the desired food plants are available.
Great orange tip (female)

Some butterflies that live in the arid southwestern United States, such as the Felder’s orange-tip (Anthocharis cethura), delay hatching for long periods—5 to 6 years—until the desired food plants are available. They remain in the pupa stage and become butterflies in years when there is enough rainfall.

The Great Orange Tip butterfly remains in the pupa stage and becomes a butterfly in years when there is enough rainfall.
Great orange tip butterfly on a flower
Butterfly bush
Butterfly bush

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