Cocoons pupae and cofaqui taxonomy

[Daniel Glaeske MD]

While talking with Ron Royer a few years, we speculated as to the 
distribution of certain prairie skippers, and the absence of certain 
species from otherwise suitable habitat.  One speculation was that ottoe 
may need ungrazed pasture to overwinter.  Perhaps ottoe pupae overwinter 
in the thatch layer and are insulated somewhat from the moisture. 

Daniel Glaeske
St. Victor, SK

Robert Dana wrote:

> In a post a while back on the topic of cocoons, pupae, etc., Ron Gatrelle included this in his description of the pupal shelter of M. cofaqui:  "The inside of the tube is lubricated with white powder generated from the larva's liquid waste." 
> 
> I have never worked with any megathymids, but in several Hesperiinae I have reared (Hesperia, Atrytone, Polites) last-stage larvae develop a glandular patch on the underside of a couple of abdominal segments that produces a flocculent white material that has a waxy character and is strongly hydrofugic. They coat or impregnate the loose silk shelters or cocoons in which they pupate with this material, which looks like a white "powder". I have assumed that this is to prevent the pupa from drowning, as these cocoons are typically on or close to the soil surface. The pupae remain dry and surrounded by a bubble of air even when the cocoon is fully submerged in water. Interestingly, Hesperia ottoe does not develop this patch; does anyone know how unusual this is in the genus Hesperia? All the other Hesperia spp. I have reared (dacotae, leonardus pawnee, assiniboia, uncas) do have this secretory patch. 
> 
> I believe that this phenomenon in the Hesperiinae is well-known. Might the "white powder" in the Megathymus cocoon be the same substance rather than a liquid waste product?
> 
> Robert
> 
> *************************************************************
> Robert Dana, Ph.D.
> MN DNR
> Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program
> 500 Lafayette Rd, Box 25
> St. Paul, MN 55155
> 651 297-2367
> Email: robert.dana at dnr.state.mn.us
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