Babying the chrysalis

Not wanting to miss the emergence of the butterfly I brought the last chrysalis into work.  I have noticed a lot more catterpillars at home on my patio lime tree, but no chrysalis as such.   This catterpillar originally made its home on a cut branch of kaffir lime tree which I have in a  vase, so it was easy enough to transport.
The last ones that hatched seemed a little smaller than this one and once they had hatched the shell was clear.  I imagine it will start to go clear just before the butterfly emerges. 
There is distict green colouring on the sides:

The other side is similar


The underside looks hard and brown - it is hard to imagine a delicate butterfly will emerge from this.

I called it bring your baby to work day as I really seem to be babying this one, and so anxious to see the butterfly emerge.

Comments

  1. RohrerbotWed Oct 06, 12:55:00 PM

    How long will it take now?:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. BernieHWed Oct 06, 06:17:00 PM

    Getting very exciting. Such a shame you missed the other one ... let's hope you get to see this chrysalis opening.

    ReplyDelete
  3. FloridagirlThu Oct 07, 01:02:00 AM

    I don't blame you for babying that thing! So glad you took it to work, as now you will be sure to capture photos when the big event takes place, and you can share them with us. : ) Very exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Steve AsbellThu Oct 07, 03:40:00 AM

    The chrysalis looks so well camoflaged! Is it a swallowtail of some sort? I know they do prefer citrus as host plants... Sorry I haven't commented in a while as I've been really busy...

    ReplyDelete
  5. RoslynThu Oct 07, 05:57:00 AM

    Hey we're all waiting as much as you to see the "birth". We're all like excited aunts and uncles of your chryalis.

    ReplyDelete
  6. africanaussieThu Oct 07, 11:31:00 AM

    thanks for all the comments, and I am more convinced than ever that it is an orchard swallowtail as we are seeing more and more of them in the garden. It seems that, in addition to a hovering "mother" here, it has "aunties and uncles" watching worldwide! I cant believe it is taking this long as I am sure the others hatched before two weeks! I did read that if conditions were not optimum that it would delay emerging, so have put it outside, but where I can watch it from my office window.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carolyn ♥Thu Oct 07, 01:58:00 PM

    I'm loving that you're sharing all the drama with us. I think I'm as excited as you are! Well, maybe almost. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. KimberlyThu Oct 07, 07:49:00 PM

    A new spin on "bring your kids to work" day! :D Great idea, though. Why should you miss nature just because you have to work?! Love the photos!

    ReplyDelete
  9. africanaussieMon Oct 11, 08:00:00 AM

    thanks Kim and Meredehuit,
    Still nothing has happened - so much rain! I think this must not be a rain loving butterfly!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sunita Mohan Mon Oct 11, 10:35:00 PM

    That chrysalis is so well-camouflaged! Its great to know you're going to be a butterfly-mom too ;)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love interacting with all my readers, thank you for your comments. Have a great day!

Popular posts from this blog

Up-cycling fabrics

Image
   In our hot and humid climate, jeans are not big movers in our op shop.  We had a $1 a pair sale rack, and still have full racks..... so I decided to make up a few different bags to see if we can somehow save these items from landfill.  Re-fashioning those items into something useful.  I made a few variations just to try out the market and sold this one on the first day they were put out! Each one is individual, depending on what fabric I have available. I tend to lay things out, and then just play around a bit.   Here I am laying out all the options before I start sewing.  I have joined a facebook group which is so inspirational and supportive.      Up-Cycled Cloth Collective | Facebook So often, it is just a case of seeing what is there, and then using it in the best way possible.  I was excited to find this tote bag, which was perfect as the lining of a bag for a teenager. this was also snapped up quickly. The bags were hu...
Read more

I have something to tell you.....

Image
Come on in to my garden.... I have something to tell you  Sit down in the comfy chair  for a little while, and listen to the tinkling of the wind chimes - are you relaxed? Good!  Remember how I entered that garden competition, and the judges came, and they wandered down my paths, taking photos?  Yes! I won runner up! a Fifty dollar gift card ........ from a real nursery, not the big box store that I normally shop at.  Oh gosh, how exciting.... I wonder what I will buy? Thank you Cairns Regional Council!
Read more

Garden share collective June 2014

Image
Once again another month has rolled by and it is time to link up with  Lizzie at   strayedtable  for our monthly collective where we share what has happened in our gardens for the last month and what we hope to be working on for the next month.  Wrapping up May and heading into June. Last month I wanted to work on: Seed tape .... I did make seed tape, and did a tutorial on the processs - you can see it  here.   It was fun, and worked well, expecially with kids. Mostly though I see a space and throw a few seeds in.  I can see myself doing it at the beginning of a planting season. Worms . .... I have been adding a little of the worm castings every time I plant something, and as a side dressing when plants seem to need a bit of a boost.  It does seem to help. Sitting .... plenty of that - I like the new (original) location of the swing where we have a long view of the garden. - veggie garden is just around that corner.... Eat veggies ...
Read more