Pipevine butterfly question

9 years ago

Can anyone tell me what, if any, changes the chrysalis of this particular butterfly makes prior to eclosing? It seems like they've been in this stage for a very long time. I see no change in color or shape.

There are approx. 20 Pipevine Swallowtail chrysalides in an enclosure on my deck. I have it setting in the shade. Most of the chrysalides were knocked off or loosened to the point they dropped off of their chosen spot by younger siblings who were wandering all over, looking for their 'special' spot. I now have these dislodged chrysalides resting on a scrunched up towel in the bottom of the butterfly enclosure. There are some who are still hanging on sticks who were not dislodged. They all look the same as far as coloring and shape and I've no reason to think they are unhealthy.

Should I attempt to place the fallen in an upright position? Should I remove the towel and just leave them lying flat?

My thanks for your time.

Mary

Featured Answer

MissSherry

9 years ago

You can leave them on the towel or 'reset' them, Mary, it doesn't make any difference, they'll emerge either way.

Pipevine swallowtail chrysalides are strange as to when they'll emerge. For example, I raised a batch earlier this spring, and about half of the chrysalides emerged pretty quickly. The other half are still in the cage, some having been knocked down by later caterpillars, with no signs of emerging. It's possible they may even overwinter, they're very unpredictable.

The day before, and especially the day of, a pipevine swallowtail's emergence, they turn darker, and you can see the butterfly through the skin. The butterfly isn't nearly as clearly seen through the thin skin as other butterflies, however, and you can easily miss it. Don't worry about your chrysalides, they'll eventually emerge, but the timing is impossible to predict. The only time to be concerned is if a chrysalis turns sooty, ashy black and looks dried up. That means the chrysalis is dead, but I never throw out a chrysalis just because it looks a little sooty, I wait until it looks terrible, and I'm positive it's dead. I've had chrysalides that looked a LITTLE sooty emerge as a perfect butterfly.

Sherry

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Comments (7)

Mary Leek
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you, Sherry, for taking time to write out such a detailed reply. I so appreciate your help and will now quit fretting so much and try to enjoy this phase of their development. How interesting to learn some might even wait until next spring to eclose.

The little pipevine male is still hanging around and recently I noticed a second pipevine butterfly, which, at a distance, was impossible to sex. I thought I could see just a bit of blue on the second one. They were swirling up into the air together and I wondered if it might be a female with him but never got a close look. I keep hoping a little female will eclose from the group in the enclosure and decide she favors this little male as he seems so persistent in his search for a mate.

The second group of pipevine cats I have inside are in various stages of growth so it looks like, between these guys and the new Monarch hatch'lings, I'm pretty much committed for the next month. Still watching and hoping for Spicebush and Black Swallowtail eggs.

My little 2nd year PawPaw tree has taken hold and looking strong. The leaves are huge. I don't expect to ever see another Zebra butterfly but if one drops by, I'm ready! :-)

Mary
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Mary Leek
Original Author
9 years ago
Woohoo, happy to report there is a lovely, big healthy female pipevine that has just eclosed! there are two little Males flitting around the garden this morning. Poor young lady is going to be chased all over until she's ready to make her choice!

Mary
MissSherry
9 years ago
Congratulations, Mary! One of those two males will soon have a mate!

Of the many PVS chrysalides still in the big cage, these two are quite a pair -

I hope the green one's sling hasn't harmed the brown one. With other butterflies I've raised, when they piggyback, no harm is done to either, both emerge perfectly. This is a first for PVS chrysalides, though.

Sherry
Regina Phillips
9 years ago
I posted this in another thread I had started about Pipevine seed pods but am not sure it will be seen. This guys Ov. is staying out all the time like this and he's really busy! But eating and pooping. Any thoughts?
Regina Phillips
9 years ago
Another question...does the Pipevine sprout out on the old vine in the spring or die it make new vine?
Mary Leek
Original Author
9 years ago
Regina, I'm not sure about the Osmeterium. Maybe he's been extending it frequently, which has caused it to become a bit swollen. If so, try keeping him quiet and see if, in time, he can retract it. I don't really know if this is possible but since he's eating and acting normally, I'd keep him quiet and see if things improve.

The pipevine does not die back, at least not in my growing zone. Leaves are dropped in the fall following a freeze and then It pushes out new leaves from the leaf nodes on the bare vines the following spring.

Mary