I didn't get many pictures today. It was so hot outside and pretty windy. Not many bugs flying around in my yard. I did get one shot of a cabbage white but I thought I'd show you these guys and girls instead.
There are 27 chrysalis' on this screen top to my aquarium, 15 of them are from the "Party on the Milkweed" photo a few days ago. They will all come camping with me next week. I left 4 others at work for my supervisor, Laureen, to take home so her kids can set them free. I have 4 more that I am pretty sure will emerge before I leave for our camping trip.
The outside of the chrysalis is clear and the green color comes from the "pupa" inside. As the pupa changes from the body parts of a caterpillar into the body parts of a butterfly, you can see a color change inside the chrysalis. When it's almost ready to emerge, the chrysalis color will turn brown, yellow and orange so that you can tell there is a Monarch inside. They remain in their chrysalis anywhere from 7-10 days. Temperature has a lot to do with it because the ones I have at home emerge way faster than the ones at work where there is air conditioning.
I think the Monarch chrysalis is one of the most beautiful looking things in nature. It is jade and emerald green with glittering gold and black dots. A Monarch chrysalis is likened to an emerald jewel, but biologists are unsure about the function of its gold dots.
Ditto what Brad said. I never knew any of the info you have included with this most interesting photo.
Its like there is a whole other universe going on "out there" .
this is an incredible photograph. I love butterflies so much and this is one of the best butterfly life-cycle photographs I have seen. Have shared with my friends on the Facebook page too, and a fav for sure......
Wait--you have an aquarium for these guys? You are the Butterfly Queen. This is fabulous, as usual. I can't get over how green they are!
Re:comment--alligators? Really? That's just bizarre.
Beautiful shot. It is amazing that the purpose of the gold dots still is not known. Based on Urquhart's studies they are thought to be involved in scale formation/pigmentation but how they influence development hasn't been studied.
Beautiful!! :) I love how your composition, depth and framing give the impression that the chysalises just keep going and going, well out of the field of the shot. :)
Thank you everyone!! I just can't get enough of them in the summer. I really wanted to tag them this year before they went to Mexico but I didn't order my tags in time. Next year for sure!
I love seeing all these clustered together...such a sight as I'd never have the chance to see in my own backyard! Another wonderful photo, Karen! ...and I just saw your comment about the tags. Where and how do you tag them? And who lets you know where they've been spotted? You're such a wealth of information!
Great stuff Karen :)
Its like there is a whole other universe going on "out there" .
Re:comment--alligators? Really? That's just bizarre.
Have a great time on your camping trip!