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Butterfly Garden

Swallowtail

12 years ago

My mother-in-law brought my son a caterpillar that will become a black swallowtail. The caterpillar has been in the chrysalis now for a little over three weeks. It was initially green and then turned black, and has been black/grey for over a week now. I do think I can see the wings through it. I've always read that after turning black they come out in 48 hours or so. Is this one dead? Or is it normal for this kind of butterfly?

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Comments (3)

MissSherry
12 years ago
It sounds like it's dead - 'so sorry. :(

Sherry
lindacatherine
12 years ago
I believe swallowtail chrysalis will "flinch" if you gently touch it. If it does, then...well...it's still alive.
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tracey_nj6
12 years ago
I have quite a few BSTs right now that pupated quite some time ago, some are dark, some are light, some are green. I've only been rearing BSTs for a few years and don't recall any eclosing after mid August; they overwinter. There is no schedule that they stick to in my experience, unlike monarchs...

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?what to do with this little guy?

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