The great escape

A female Brimstone butterfly at the exact moment the wings leave the pupal case. She will now scramble onto the empty chrysalis, hang upside down, the wings will inflate, the 2 sides of the proboscis "zip" together. Then we wait until she becomes agitated and it's time to say goodbye, good luck.
I don't know how many times I have witnessed eclosion, the thrill is always the same - and so is the nervous anticipation. Sometimes it doesn't go to plan and a bit of midwifery is needed to release the imago, sadly occasionally without success.
If you look closely in the top right corner, you will see all that remains of the final larval skin.
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jesika

[KoalaGardens🐨]

stunning capture, do you cut the branch and bring it inside so you can watch this?

[Jesika]

@koalagardens Many thanks. The full story is recorded in "Mrs B's labour." We lost so many to predation that we had to bring 10 larvae inside. Safer for the insects and it also makes viewing & photography much easier.
j

[FBailey]

Nature is amazing. So is your photography!!

[Jesika]

@fbailey Thank you very much, you are too kind.
Maybe one day (year) I'll drag myself away from macro, but I'm not holding my breath.
jx

[Rachel]

How amazing to watch. I'm so jealous. Excellent shot too.

[Jesika]

@888rachel Thank you, Rachel. Metamorphosis is astonishing: birth, transformation, re-birth. It never ceases to amaze me. I am hopeful that Mrs B will return this spring and I'll be able to record the whole process again.
j

[Kim Beard (Kimb)]

Wow!

[Margaret Snell]

Beautiful shot , how amazing to be able to watch them,

[Diana]

How cool is this.... photo and process. I love it and thank you for sharing.

[Jesika]

@kimbinva @oldjosh @sunshinepix Thank you, Ladies for such generous comments. We raise butterflies and/or moths most years but we had never had the necessary larval food plant for Brimstones before. It was so thrilling watching the whole life cycle. We have hopes for a second opportunity this year.
j

[Clare Gadsby]

fantastic image! so interesting to read your narrative as well. welcome to 365 jesika :)

[babbs]

Beautiful capture! Fav!

[Jesika]

@pistache Thank you very much for the kind comment and warm welcome, both are greatly appreciated
j

[Jesika]

@babbs36 Many thanks for the favourite, kind comment and for following my project.
j

[Sue Hecker]

Wow, a lovely capture!

[Jesika]

@featherstone26 Thank you very much for the comment and deciding to follow my progress through the year.
j

[PhylM-S]

Wow.... amazing. Thank you for sharing this beauty and your knowledge. Fantastic work!

[Judith Johnson]

Superb detail

[Jesika]

@elatedpixie @busylady Many thanks, Ladies. Hopefully another Butterfly Mummy will visit my tiny garden this year and I'll be able to record and share the magic of metamorphosis again.
x

[Rosan]

Amazing! Fantastic detail.

[Jesika]

@fntngrma Metamorphosis is marvellous isn't it? I am excited as a child on Christmas morning when the pupae start to open and the moth or butterfly emerges.
Thank you for commenting and for following my project
j

[Karen]

wow

[Jesika]

@rustymonkey "Wow" indeed! I don't know how many times I've witnessed eclosion (birth, emergence) but it never fails to astonish, delight, astound and excite me. When I see the imago (adult form) has safely left the pupal case, I can breathe easily and relax. Once again the miracle that is metamorphosis is over. Wow!
Thank you
j

[Fr1da]

fantastic capture ! Just amazing

[Jesika]

@fr1da Eclosion is breathtaking, a very anxious time for me as a watcher, I can only wonder what, if anything, the emerging imago feels. Sadly it doesn't always work.
Many thanks for your comment.
j

[Ailesse]

wonderful !

[Jesika]

@ailesse Eclosion truly IS wonderful, an anxious time until the wings fully inflate & harden, and then another wait until the butterfly/moth becomes agitated & ready to leave the safety of the breeding cage.
Many thanks for your comment and for following my slow progression through 365
j