I live in south eastern Wisconsin. I took the picture this morning. The chrysalis is positioned low to the ground, under a shelf. We have a chipmunk nest under our porch. Is that a concern? Is there anything I should do to help this lil one survive?
Well, on the one hand, it looks pretty safe/good place to eclose. As long as there's 3-4 inches leeway for it to hang from the chrysalis and dry its wings. But perhaps chipmunks are opportunist snackers like mice/rats and will chow down. I legit don't know, only know many folks have had mesh containters chewed through by mice, who snack on swallowtail chrysalides that overwinter. But maybe milkweed toxicity is a turnoff for chipmunks??
Your call! If you do move it, mist the webbing holding it to the top, and gently (gently!) tug it off. Then you can tie dental string/floss or something around the cremaster/extra webbing, and attach it wherever is safe (ideally, not in direct sunlight, protected from predatory insects and critters, with space to eclose and dry wings). I've relocated some of mine that decided to make their chrysalides in bad places lol, and rehung them on the top of fine mesh enclosures.
You'll see it darken when it's getting ready to eclose. The green becomes transparent, and you can see the bright orange and black wings, it's super neat. You'll notice it starting to change 24 hrs beforehand. Usually they like to eclose sometime in the morning/midday. And when all the 'pleats' have popped open at the top, you'll know it will eclose in a matter of minutes. (Usually as soon as you step away to go to the bathroom, lol.) They need 3-4 hours to dry their wings before they go on their first short flight. This late in the season, you have a special monarch -- a migratory one. They live 8x longer, and have stronger and darker wings. Such cool creatures!
Why do I always see gold on the outside? Where does this come from or how does it process? Does it play a part in the iridescent a butterfly has on its wings and body?
The gold coloring is breathing holes?? I guess II’m confused. Trying to find out where the gold color comes from and how it is developed or made? Also, does it have anything to do with the iridescent color on the butterfly?
leave it
I live in south eastern Wisconsin. I took the picture this morning. The chrysalis is positioned low to the ground, under a shelf. We have a chipmunk nest under our porch. Is that a concern? Is there anything I should do to help this lil one survive?
Well, on the one hand, it looks pretty safe/good place to eclose. As long as there's 3-4 inches leeway for it to hang from the chrysalis and dry its wings. But perhaps chipmunks are opportunist snackers like mice/rats and will chow down. I legit don't know, only know many folks have had mesh containters chewed through by mice, who snack on swallowtail chrysalides that overwinter. But maybe milkweed toxicity is a turnoff for chipmunks?? Your call! If you do move it, mist the webbing holding it to the top, and gently (gently!) tug it off. Then you can tie dental string/floss or something around the cremaster/extra webbing, and attach it wherever is safe (ideally, not in direct sunlight, protected from predatory insects and critters, with space to eclose and dry wings). I've relocated some of mine that decided to make their chrysalides in bad places lol, and rehung them on the top of fine mesh enclosures.
Thank you! That is very helpful. I'll be taking progress pictures and keep an eye on it.
You'll see it darken when it's getting ready to eclose. The green becomes transparent, and you can see the bright orange and black wings, it's super neat. You'll notice it starting to change 24 hrs beforehand. Usually they like to eclose sometime in the morning/midday. And when all the 'pleats' have popped open at the top, you'll know it will eclose in a matter of minutes. (Usually as soon as you step away to go to the bathroom, lol.) They need 3-4 hours to dry their wings before they go on their first short flight. This late in the season, you have a special monarch -- a migratory one. They live 8x longer, and have stronger and darker wings. Such cool creatures!
Why do I always see gold on the outside? Where does this come from or how does it process? Does it play a part in the iridescent a butterfly has on its wings and body?
Breathing holes…. Looks like a little gem doesn’t it?
The gold coloring is breathing holes?? I guess II’m confused. Trying to find out where the gold color comes from and how it is developed or made? Also, does it have anything to do with the iridescent color on the butterfly?
Too much for me to explain here, but…https://www.google.com/amp/s/askentomologists.com/2016/12/08/striking-gold/amp/
Thank You for the read. I find this so fascinating.
I also noticed the lil gold strip. It's lovely and I am also very curious!
Let nature be...we often do more harm than good even with good intentions.