Larvae Entering Final Instar

Despite the cool end to April and start to May iris larvae continue to race ahead. They are now changing skin for the last time, into the 5th and final instar.

UNLESS THE WEATHER DETERIORATES BADLY THE BUTTERFLY IS GOING TO BE ON THE WING BY MID-JUNE...

Now is the time to warn your boss, spouse, or whoever, that you may have to bring your annual Emperoring holiday forward.

Watch this space, closely...

Here's a larva photographed this morning, skin changing to L5 -

PS  It changed into the 5th instar on May 11th...