Berry's Butterfly Photos
Egg
Neonate
First instar
Second instar
Third instar
Fourth instar
Pupa
Fresh adult Lacey's Scrub-Hairstreak, dorsal view
Fresh adult Lacey's Scrub-Hairstreak, ventral view
A week before Thanksgiving, 2020, there were several days when I saw multiple individuals of Lacey's Scrub-Hairstreak flying in the yard. I collected 2, and on November 21 eggs began to appear. After I had about a dozen eggs, I released the adults.
When I caught the butterflies, I began watering my Bernardia (Bernardia myricifolia) plants. They put out fresh growth almost immediately, including flower buds, which was encouraging as I wasn't sure whether the plants were in acceptable condition. As it turns out, the caterpillars primarily ate fresh leaves, although they did nibble on buds and fruits. They often ate the skin off the fruits, only occasionally burrowing in to go after the seeds.
After a week or two the Bernardia's fresh growth slowed, and it seemed the caterpillars' growth was also slowing. I began misting, and this seemed to encourage feeding. The first 2 pupated December 22, about a month after egg-laying began. The first adults emerged January 12.