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Chrysalis identification and protection

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2023 8:01 pm
by KarenW
Hi, I've got a chrysalis hanging from a wall in my garden, I'm petrified it will fall and die with strong winds and heavy rain. I'd also like it identified please

Re: Chrysalis identification and protection

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2023 8:19 pm
by Padfield
My guess is small tortoiseshell. If so, I would expect it to emerge relatively soon, so if there is no particular risk of storms, I would leave it in place. If there is reason to fear the worst, I would carefully detach the part of the plant it is attached to (don't attempt to separate the chrysalis from the plant) and secure this with cotton to an upright stick, planted in soil in a pot, and keep this somewhere out of the potential storm. An aerated cage is best, to protect it from birds and other predators, but is not necessary. I've used cardboard boxes in the past, partially open to the light and outside on my balcony.

When the butterfly emerges (assuming it is a small tortoiseshell), do not attempt to move it. It will climb up the stick a little then wait up to several hours while its wings dry thoroughly. During this time it will exude drops of what looks like blood. This is normal. It is meconium - metabolic waste from the pupal stage.

Unless there is an immediate risk of storms, wait for others to reply before doing anything! My rule of thumb is that the butterflies themselves know best!

Guy

Re: Chrysalis identification and protection

Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2023 10:00 pm
by Vince Massimo
I completely agree with Guy's advice on how to treat the chrysalis, however I would be inclined to identify it as a Red Admiral which has a much broader chrysalis than a Small Tortoiseshell. It looks to be in quite an exposed position, so my concern would be more about possible predation than storms.
Subject chrysalis (dorsal view)
Subject chrysalis (dorsal view)
Red Admiral chrysalis (dorsal view)
Red Admiral chrysalis (dorsal view)
Small Tortoiseshell chrysalis (dorsal view)
Small Tortoiseshell chrysalis (dorsal view)
Whichever of these species it turns out to be, the butterfly should emerge within the next two weeks at most. With some more photos we can firm-up on the identification.

Good luck with it.

Vince

Edit: I have changed my Red Admiral reference image for something closer to the colour of the subject chrysalis.

Re: Chrysalis identification and protection

Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2023 11:39 pm
by Benjamin
This is certainly a Red Admiral chrysalis. Do you have nettles nearby or perhaps pellitory of the wall? I find lots of red ad cats on pellitory in late summer down south.