Mystery chrysalis situation

5 years ago

Hello! yesterday i discovered this little guy latched onto the side of out new garden bed (hopefully a good sign for butterflies to come!) and I have absolutely no idea what could be in there.

I'm in south western australia and this little guy is teeny tiny, held onto the metal with strands of i'm assuming silk, i'm guessing it's some kind of butterfly because moth cocoons don't usually look like this.

if anyone knows i'd be extremely grateful!

as a side note; i sort of want to bring it inside to keep it safe and to see what happens to it but i don't want to hurt it. Can you relocate chrysalis' or touch them at all? would it need any special conditions or just somewhere safe and warm?

Featured Answer

roper2008

5 years ago

Don’t know what kind of butterfly that is. You can relocate it, but make sure to keep it in the same position as it is now. You don’t need to keep it warm because it’s been outside in its cocoon all winter, you don’t want it to emerge to soon and there not be any nectar flowers blooming.

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Comments (11)

Shannon Fordyce
Original Author
5 years ago
i can get a closer look if needed!
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Shannon Fordyce
Original Author
5 years ago
it appeared after our new roses were planted so i was wondering if that drew it in (i guess the caterpillar was there longer than we had any idea??)

is there any way to ensure its safety from wild birds/the sun/any weird weather changes? it feels kind of exposed out there on the metal like that and i worry haha
four (9B near 9A)
5 years ago
The greatest danger is from predatory insects, of which there are many kinds.

Probe to see whether you can remove it without damage. If so, then keep it enclosed in a plastic food container (not of the air-tight kind). If not, then protect it by taping a roomy dome of clear plastic over it. Good tape, and expecting to replace it from time to time.
Shannon Fordyce thanked four (9B near 9A)
PRO
User
5 years ago
Without transferring to a container, it will be unlikely to see what butterfly or moth emerges (not all moths spin cocoons). If under an inch long, perhaps one of your small blue butterflies.
Mars SC Zone 8b Mars
5 years ago
The Logician LLC is right. do you have a cage? A plastic container would not be a good idea.

Because when it comes out it can't exercise her wings.
four (9B near 9A)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Cage is inadequate protection against small insects.

Chrysalis attached to stick or to hanging string inside plastic container does allow spreading of wings.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
5 years ago
Is that a small hole on the side? If so, it's a goner.
Shannon Fordyce
Original Author
5 years ago
Shannon Fordyce
Original Author
5 years ago
it looks very similar to a white cabbage butterfly (there's lots around rn) chrysalis which is far more boring but no less neat tbh
Mars SC Zone 8b Mars
5 years ago
Did you ever see it as a caterpillar?

I once found a caterpillar on some roses and I have NO IDEA what type it was. All I know is that it ate flower petals. He tried to pupate but he didn't make it. Another person on houzz found same species and also had never seen it. Maybe I discovered a new species?