So I am happy to report that I have released a critter from my shelf.
The cat that was found on January 3th.
If you read the blog post Seven days had passed…, you may recall that the identity was not certain unless you raised it.
Its new chrysalis was a purty green seven days later.
On January 20th, it was showing its adult colors in the chrysalis. My baby would soon emerge.
Indeed, it was time to try to catch it emerging. This was my setup.
Ten days had passed. The butterfly wiggled its way out its home.
Indeed, the beautiful green eyes contrasted with its pinkish legs.
Furthermore, now its true identity was revealed! The Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)! The Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) looks very similar even as adult. However, the more sharp or pointy forewing leads to the Clouded Sulphur.
Oh darn I must have bumped the camera so it was not quite in focus. Definitely have to try to come up with a better setup.
Finally outside to find its way into the world. Good luck!
Certainly only way i would ever see one emerge. Thanks. Do you think your warm house had anything to do with the time it emerged? Will it survive the winter?
I wonder about the warm house, but then again you can see sulphurs all winter out on warmish days. And the caterpillar had survived and it has been in the twenties already this winter. So yes I think it will survive.
Yay! Love the feathered edges of the wings. Neat to watch it emerge. Thanks for doing these fosterings and video set ups for us to enjoy.
I wonder if the feathered edges make the butterfly fly quieter like an owl’s feather? Fun stuff!
I wondered about that comparison with owl feathers too.
wonderful video – wonderful close up of those eyes!
Thanks!
So so so cool. Interesting watching its puffy abdomen shrink as the wings elongate. Thanks, Mary!
It is so amazing..:-)
Certainly only way i would ever see one emerge. Thanks. Do you think your warm house had anything to do with the time it emerged? Will it survive the winter?
I wonder about the warm house, but then again you can see sulphurs all winter out on warmish days. And the caterpillar had survived and it has been in the twenties already this winter. So yes I think it will survive.