All that remains

Towards the end of the 5th and final instar, juvenile hormone which keeps the insect a caterpillar, is supressed by production of PROTHORACICOTROPIC hormone. ECDYSONE is the hormone which causes the larva to moult or shed the skin.
This is all that remains after the final moult.. The mandible is visible at the bottom of the image
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[KoalaGardens🐨]

wow that's really rather awesome!

[Linda Godwin]

very cool!!

[Milanie]

Wow - awesome closeup

[Janet]

So now... waiting for the birth! Are you on ukbutterflies.co.uk? An excellent site worthy of your pics and knowledge.

[Jesika]

@janturnbull thanks for that. I’ll have a look. Have several pupae now and some looking for suitable pupation sites. Might even get to see/photograph/film an eclosion or two

[Shepherdman's Wife]

Fabulous information and photo. Thank you for educating me. Can't wait to see the butterfly

[Fisher Family]

A super detailed close-up, and as always interesting background information.

Ian

[Julienne Jones]

Faacinating!