Strange Find

Discussion in 'Butterfly / Moth' started by andy84, Jun 29, 2009.

  1. andy84

    andy84 New Seed

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    Hi everyone. This is my first post here. In fact, I created an account just to ask this question, so I hope you can help.

    It's been SUPER windy where I live the last day or two. While grilling out today, I saw a little green thing twitching about on the ground. Upon further inspection, I deduced it was some sort of chrysalis. I wager it blew out of the tree I was under. Anyway, it kept flipping around and going crazy. I figured it's natural state would be to be hanging, so I very gently scooped it up and hung it in a jar from a piece of thread. The thing keeps twitching though, so now I'm wondering if it's uncomfortable? I know the thread isn't pinching it. I put some grass in the bottom of the jar to make it feel more at home. Is this twitching behavior normal? Should I have just left it on the ground? I was afraid a bird would make it a snack... it's just a tiny little thing, about a half inch tip to tip.

    Anyway, if you have any advice, or if I should have left it on the ground, I'd appreciate feedback. Thank you.
     
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  3. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    It sounds as though whatever is in the chrysalis is about to hatch out. You'll probably find either a butterfly or moth drying it's wings fairly shortly. You did the right thing by picking it up as it may have been trodden on otherwise.
     

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