Yesterday I went out to check on the Freds after the storm we had and I couldn't find a single one. I had 4 really HUGE ones and I had checked on them during the storm and they were all there happily munching away. But yesterday, not a one. I was so upset. Lloyd and I searched around to see if they had blown off and were making their way back ( would they even do this??) or had started to make chrysalis, but we couldn't see anything.
Just now I went back again to see if we'd missed something yesterday and I had a really good search and I found a chrysalis! I'm really hoping that all 4 of them have done this and I just can't find the other 3. There's a lot of plants round about and they're all green so the chrysalis will be well camouflaged. Anyway, fingers crossed. I was so happy to find even one after thinking they had all been lost to the elements.
You can see the shed skin wrinkled up at the top. I'm going to do a bit of research to see if I can bring this one inside so I can look after it. I could just break the bit of branch it's on.
What's odd is even though I watch the butterflies laying more eggs every day, no more caterpillars are appearing.
Wow, amazing photos! Metamorphosis is such a fascinating process.
ReplyDeleteYes, you can bring the branch in to the safety of inside and watch the wings develop their distinctive colour inside the crysalis. I did this for my kids and watched the butterfly come out slowly and then dry its wings for about 1 hour and off they flew on their maiden flight through an open door. Very magical to watch.
ReplyDeletek
I to have broken a branch of and had it inside to watch the beautiful butterfly emerge. Then dry it's wings. It was just lovely to see. Good luck
ReplyDeleteHugs
kay