Eggs of the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) Science Image

Ref: 80015985d



Butterfly eggs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of eggs of the large white (cabbage white) butterfly Pieris brassicae. The eggs are laid in batches of 100-150, usually on the underside of leaves of brassica plants (cabbage, Brussels sprouts) and nasturtiums. The sculpted shell is made of a protein called chorionin, and has tiny breathing pores that allow air to flow to the developing embryo. The young caterpillars feed on the leaves, and can cause significant damage to brassica crops. Magnification: x31 at 6x7cm size.