Mrs B's Great Adventure (22) Meconium

Now safely out of the chrysalis, our male Brimstone has 3 vital tasks to perform.
1 He has to zip together the 2 sides of the proboscis, the tube through which he will now feed.
2 Inflate his wings. He does this by pumping meconium into the wing's venous system (note the pink tinge) using movement and gravity. When the wings are fully expanded, the meconium returns to the body, any left in the wings will dry & harden helping to strengthen the delicate wings.
3 He needs to remove any excess meconium from his body.
Meconium is NOT blood, it is the waste product of the metabolic changes in the pupa.
After a few minutes, the wings will be fully inflated, they will dry and harden, but he cannot yet be released. In the wild he will remain suspended from the leaf under which he pupated
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[Susie]

I've loved watching this development, its amazing. thankyou

[FBailey]

Ditto the above:) x

[Jesika]

@susie1205 Thank you, Susie. I hoped people would find it interesting and possibly even a little bit educational. I know that during my 2 Brimstone years, I have learnt things that I didn't know from breeding other species.
j

[Jesika]

@fbailey You know only too well I find insects fascinating and wonderful, almost everything else (other than dogs!) is invisible to me,
jx

[Suzie Townsend]

I certainly never expected quite such a science lesson on 365! Incredible! I am loving this!

[Jesika]

@stownsend So pleased you are finding the series interesting, thank you
j

[JoeV]

So exciting to see them bloom.

[Jesika]

@joev Thanks, Joe, almost finished.
j

[Michelle]

I'm am terrified of moths but I have found this mesmerising,

[Milanie]

This has been so neat to follow!

[Jesika]

@bigmxx I'm really sorry you are afraid of moths, some are exquisitely beautiful and their life cycle is the same as that of our Brimstone butterly. I suspect you will have seen some day flying moths and remarked on that lovely butterfly!
I'm very pleased you have enjoyed Mrs M's story.
Thanks, j

[Jesika]

@milaniet @milaniet Thank you, Milanie, the story is almost over now.
I knew I was expecting butterflies some time today, HADN'T expected to find 3 girls ready to fly the nest when I went down to check their progress.
A wonderful way to start my day.
j