A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Papilio polyxenes
Black Swallowtail caterpillars attach their rear ceemasters to a pad of silk and string a strap of silk around their mid-section. After forming the chrysalis they shed the outer skin in a set of rhymic motions. The shed skin is in a small ball beneath this chrysalis.
The pupae may be green or brown, but not depending on surroundings or the background on which they have pupated. The color of the chrysalis is determined by a local genetic balance that ensures the majority of pupae will blend in.
The caterpillar molts through 5 instars before it forms a chrysalis. The butterfly usually emerges from the chrysalis in one to two weeks.
Spotted on Jun 21, 2012
Submitted on Jun 21, 2012
4 Comments
Just went back and posted Armadillo, Three Toed Box and Red-eared Slider turtles. Maybe possums will show up for photo, they have been snacking on bananas and melons that were put out for the butterflies at night.
I have added this spotting to your mission. Most of my spottings are from my yard which is a two third acre wildlife habitat with many native plants. It abuts a wildlife corridor managed by the Army Corp of Engineers that surrounds Lake Lewisville. I can limit my mission submissions to just those taken in the wildlife corridor if you wish. Or I can submit those and any interesting wildlife that enters the yard. We just had 4 baby armadillos. Give direction and I will try to comply. Thanks.
Good luck it takes less than 30 seconds for them to shed the outer skin. I have only caught it once. It is fun. Many of my chrysalis are being parasitized by Tachinid flys this year, but there is an abundance, so I guess it keeps the populations steady.
Great info gatorfellows - I have 3 black swallowtail chrysalises in a tank at the moment & I hope to get to see them eclose!