Emerging Butterflies
It's also helpful to have a lid that is transparent so you can see the progess of the developing pupa. The photographs below show visual signs that pupae are developing into adult butterflies. The last several photos illustrate the types of emergence containers I use to emerge individual butterflies.
-
Green Catch & Release Cylinder Habitat
Raising Butterflies Mini Pop-ups are ideal to attach a chrysalis for emergence. These cages should be used indoors to avoid predation. Cages can be ordered at https://store.raisingbutterflies.org/product-p/greenminipopup5w6h.htm
-
Home Made Emergence Container
Any plastic tub can be modified with paper towel fastened around the inner wall with double stick tape or glue. The lid can be modified by cutting out a larger hole and attaching netting with double stick tape. This allows monitoring of a developing chrysalis where a recently eclosed adult needs ~1-3 hours to dry its wings. Recommend placing container with adult inside a dark closet and retrieving prior to ideal outdoor conditions which should be ~55F or warmer starting in the morning.
-
-
Lorquin's Admiral Pupae
Brush footed butterflies like lorquin's admirals emerge best if attached to the lid of an emergence container as shown here.
-
-
-
-
Monarch pupa develops
Monarch pupae show development. Photos courtesy Nicky Davis
-
Desert Orangetip Breaks Diapause
If you place a desert orangetip pupae adjacent to a light source and can see light passing through the cone of the pupa, this indicates that it is developing into a butterfly.
-
Sara Orangetip Pupa Shows Signs
Anthocharis sara pupa shows signs of adult development inside the pupa.
-
asarasara_pupa_dev2.jpg
Sara orangetip pupa shows further development.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
p_m_pallidissima_pu_dev.jpg
Pieris marginalis pallidissima pupae develop. Photos courtesy Nicky Davis.
-
Western Tiger Swallowtail Pupa Develops
One of the early signs that a glaucus-group swallowtail has broken diapause and is evidence of the darkening of the eyes when shown adjacent to a light source.
-
Lorquin's Admiral PupaI
More often than not, a brushfoot butterfly will pupate on a stick or other surface. Cut around this stick or leaf and fasten this area with masking tape to the lid of your emergence container.
-
emergence_llorquini5_nd.jpg
Photo courtesy Nicky Davis.
-
emergence_llorquini6_nd.jpg
Photo courtesy Nicky Davis.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
