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Euptoieta claudia
A chrystalis of unknown species. The back is really shiny. Pearly white, copper, and black. The spider at the top appears to be dead (it almost looks like the thing is growing from the spider). It gave one sudden twitch when blown at and hasn't moved since. There is a small blob of white at the top end, like spider silk, that appears to be holding it to the brick.
Brick wall outside front door in shaded area of the porch.
I could not find a chrystalis ID guide online. If no one here can offer an ID, I'm wondering if I should carefully remove the chrystalis and keep it contained until the butterfly emerges and can be identified? Could this be done safely?
Regardless of ID, gently scrape the entire silk pad securing the chrysalis to your wall, then carefully insert a thin needle through the resulting wad and pin where the butterfly (wings initially crumpled) has ample room to freely hang down upon emerging; see 5-15-10 photo in above link. Bring the kids and enjoy the typically early morning miracle of metamorphosis!
Spotted on Sep 6, 2012
Submitted on Sep 6, 2012
