Hormonal control of pupal coloration in the painted lady butterfly Vanessa cardui

Over 80% of larvae reared at 16 degrees C developed into dark pupae, while over 82% at 32 degrees C developed into white pupae.

• Pupal color variation in the painted lady butterfly includes white, dark, and intermediate types.
• Temperature during larval development significantly influences pupal coloration.
• Head-thoracic parts of larvae at high temperatures consistently developed into white pupae, regardless of developmental stage.
• Abdominal parts from early-stage larvae developed into dark pupae, indicating stage-specific responses.
• A factor inducing white pupae is suggested to be released from head-thoracic regions under high temperature conditions.
• Crude extracts from the central nervous system can cause abdominal parts destined for dark pupae to develop into white pupae, depending on the dose and pupal stage.

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