Subject: Pupa identification
Geographic location of the bug: Canberra Australia
Date: 10/06/2018
Time: 05:14 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Been trying to identify this but coming up with no idea. It looks like a tent caterpillar web but not their pupae…
How you want your letter signed: Thanks
We wish your image had more critical detail, especially of the individual pupae. We do not believe these pupae belong to a caterpillar. We will continue to research this matter, but in the meanwhile, we are posting your request as Unidentified.
Update: Thanks to a comment from Richard Stickney, we believe these might be the pupae of the Imperial Jezebel or Imperial White, Delias harpalyce, which is pictured on The Victoria Museum site.
I haven’t seen them personally, but I’ve seen another photo like it. These are pupae of a Jezebel or Imperial White butterfly, Delias sp.
Thanks for the information. We found this similar looking image on The Victoria Museum site.
I have taken a photo in victoria of one just the same but with a white Imperial Jezabel on the web with the Pupae.
I have the exact same pupae with webbing in my front garden at the moment. I am in the Yarra Valley, Victoria.
So far I have two Imperial Jezebel butterflies that have not flow away? Is this normal? They have been there for a few days. I can send pictures if you like.