While working around the yard today, I noticed this "thing" hanging on the old water pump. Then while checking out the gazillion Gulf Fritillary caterpillars on the Passion Flower vine... I spotted another. And then when I moved the bucket under my rain barrel... yet another one! Am I about to be "mom" to some new butterflies? ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )
Yep, that's a Gulf Fritillary chrysalis. They look so much like dead rolled up leaves that they sometimes are accidentally destroyed when cleaning up a garden.
It depends on the weather....the warmer the temperature the shorter time in the chrysalis....but usually it is 1-2 week. In winter they can spend several months in that stage waiting for warm spring temperatures.
Those are so neat....I was like a proud momma when my monarchs came . It felt good to think that I helped them get here in my yard. I was surprised to still see some butterflys still flying around in our cool weather. Congrats and I hope you get to see what happens to them.
Lucky you!! I'm sure I will have some chrysalis in my own garden but there's so much out there that I wouldn't know where to start looking. My daughter, however, found one on her ferret house and, like you, she can't resist checking on it every day. Here it is: Now all you both have to do is wait and hope you see the butterflies emerging.
