Proserpinus proserpina eggs?

Silvio8 · Jun 15th 2020

Hi Leute,

Today I found four eggs on the underside of Oenothera leaves. They're about 1 mm in diameter. It was on a sunny, warm urban wasteland in the southern part of The Netherlands.
Can anyone tell me with certainty if this is Proserpinus proserpina?

Best regards,
Silvio

Brunschi · Jun 15th 2020

Hi, to me it looks like certain like a eggs of a Sphingidae and its quite possible a P.proserpina eggs.
I never found on Oenothera plant myself in my region Epilobium hirsutum and E.parviflorum is the common hostplant.

themothaddict · Jun 15th 2020

Hey, it's not proserpina, their eggs are much smaller. Half the size of this one.

Silvio8 · Jun 15th 2020

Hi,

Thanks for your quick replies.
Epilobium species are the most common host plants here as well. But they're also regularly found on Oenothera.

If it could not be Proserpinus proserpina, what other species could lay it's eggs on these plants?

I added two more pictures of the eggs.

Kind regards,
Silvio

themothaddict · Jun 15th 2020

Nevermind, your pictures quality are higher than what I'm used to haha. It's possible it is proserpina...

Rudi · Jun 16th 2020

Hi
it can be proserpina.
However, the egg determination is uncertain.
The eggs are visibly fertilized and should release the L1 within the next few days.
Then a determination should be significantly simpler and more meaningful.

The true size of the eggs shown is also difficult to estimate.

As an alternative to proserpina, for example, elpenor could also be used.

Regards
Rudi

Silvio8 · Jun 16th 2020

Thanks, I didn't know D. elpenor uses Oenothera as host as well.
I'm going back there in about two weeks from now. I'm hoping to find some Proserpina caterpillars then
I'll keep you guys posted if I do.

Kind regards,
Silvio

Silvio8 · Jul 3rd 2020

Today I returned to the plant on which I found some Sphingid eggs a few weeks ago. I found two young caterpillars of P. proserpina (see attached photo).
Mystery solved.

Kind regards,
Silvio

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Proserpinus proserpina eggs?

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