Pupating Tortoiseshell

Caterpillar that is, not the beautiful bird!
He's made a silken pad on the nettle and has attached himself by the cremaster (the hook at the base of the tail).
Imaginal discs and enzymes are hard at work already transforming the plant eating, crawling larva into the gorgeous nectar sipping butterfly most of us can recognise.
In about 2 weeks, the hard pupal case will become transparent and then, when I'm not looking, the chrysalis will split open, the crumpled imago will be freed and the wings inflate. Metamorphosis will be complete. When it becomes agitated, I will set the butterfly free.
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[KoalaGardens🐨]

lovely detail! do you mean you are covering this over so it can pupate safely then you will release? is this in your backyard garden maybe?

[Jesika]

@koalagardens He's caged indoors with about 20 others. I've been raising lepidoptera for many years but having digital cameras means each stage can be recorded. The TG5 stacks 7 images in camera which gives more detail than a single shot - and is MUCH easier than manual stacking.
j

[Richard Brown]

Be interesting to see it emerge :)

[Ko*]

Wonderful image Jesika... absolutely fav

[Mark Prince]

Just don't go to sleep and you won't miss it emergeing

[Jesika]

@markp I set up cameras to video from different angles when it's time for eclosion but still hardly ever get the full sequence which can be over in as little as 2 minutes. But I DO have video of several eclosions, just want more and better, to see the first tiny split in the chrysalis...
j

[Jesika]

@rjb71 Maybe not this one but there are several Peacocks and 3 Brimstones at present. Perhaps Lady Luck will be kind at least once.
j

[Jesika]

@madeinnl Thank you very much, I find it all so very fascinating.
j

[David]

Super macro. Information interesting and appreciated. Thank you. Fav

[Julienne Jones]

Brilliant!

[KoalaGardens🐨]

thanks for replying - it's fascinating, but I can imagine you only have to walk away for a short time and you can miss a major event!