for pupation.
Brimstone butterfly caterpillar has spun a silken pad at the cremaster (base of tail) to anchor itself and also thread around the abdomen as a support girdle.
It will soon shrug and wriggle its way out of the final larval skin and take on the shape of the pupa. It always looks painful to me, not sure if it is...
The pre-existing imaginal discs will develop into wings, legs, proboscis, compound eyes, all the requirments of butterfly life. Enzymes are turned off or on to enable this process. In about 2 weeks, the pupal case, the chrysalis, will become transparent and I will watch and wait, cameras set up for eclosion (hatching).
The little beggar will wait until my back is turned to emerge as the imago...!
Doggie mummy living in ancient York, Yorkshire, England.
Joined 1st Jan 2018
1st Jan 2024 have achieved 196%
28 March 2024 200%
I take photos, am not a photographer.
Interested...
@milaniet it’s pupated while I was checking and posting today’s photos. 2 weeks to wait and the first butterfly should be born. I always live in hope of catching eclosions. I’ve got 14 chances this year plus the Vapourer moths.
@markp unfortunately a caterpillar decided to eat the leaf and the pupa has lost its anchorage. It’s safe and the butterfly will eclose (emerge) properly. I’m prepared for emergencies!
