InsectNet forum

Found a huge greenish pupa on a willow branch back in January. The female eclosed in mid-April. This is a common butterfly in California, however, the size of that specimen is above my expectations: about 99-100 mm wingspan in the "standard" spread position.

Outstanding specimen !

Very nicely done on the spreading !

Superb!

Thank you both!

Unfortunately, I've damaged the right forewing - Murphy's law.
The wingspan is exactly 100 mm in the dried specimen.

Always nice. X- pupa, or earlier.
Those damages happen to all of us. Raise them for weeks or longer, wait, then hope you can dispatch them, spread and get it into a case without
breaking something off. More than once I went from flawless to arrgh.
I just realized, I have a new set of calipers. Perhaps I'll try them on the male rutulus I have on the board, an X-ova which I let hatch indoors a weeks ago.

Just over 90 mm for the male I have.

That is a picture perfect example in my humble opinion.
You should be very proud of its exceptional condition.
Well done....

kevinkk and Trehopr1,
Thank you both for your words of consolation. 
P. rutulus is a pretty common butterfly in CA,
I hope to get more in the future.

I would be very happy to have a super specimen like that, despite the tiny rub mark on the right forewing.

Adam.

Wonderful specimen indeed, congrats.

Such a minor mark doesn't detract in any way from it being a perfect specimen.

I felt like a kid who broke his favorite toy.
I am a proud owner of an exciting specimen now,
- thank you all for your comments!

That is a spectacular specimen, well demonstrating the potential size and morphology of the female. A tiny blemish does nothing to diminish it in any way.

Thanks, Chuck