365Caws is now in its 14th year of publication, and was originally intended to end after 365 days. It has sometimes been difficult for me to find new material, particularly during the winter months, but now as I enter my own twilight years, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to provide daily posts. It is my hope that along the way I may have inspired someone to a greater curiosity about the natural world. If so, I can rest, content in the knowledge that my work here has been done.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Nobody Home
Day 294: The photo on the left was taken on 26 December 2016. That was when I first noticed the chrysalis attached to the vinyl siding on the west wall of my house. I tentatively identified its occupant as Pieris marginalis (Margined White), a species now considered distinct from Pieris napi and one which accounts for a large portion my yard's butterfly census. It was an odd spot to find such a treasure and I figured the creature's chances of survival would be diminished by the exposure, but was pleasantly surprised when it wintered over without damage. I started keeping a closer eye on it in late May or early June, checking every week or so to see if I could detect any signs of development. It was a discouraging vigil, the chrysalis gradually turning darker as it aged, as if its winged fruit was withering inside. I kept up the watch nevertheless, but recently missed two days in a row until the lapse was brought to my attention by the flight of a Pieris past the window. I went immediately to check the chrysalis and discovered that its resident had flown. Could it have been the butterfly I observed flitting above the flower bed? So far, that White has been the only one I've seen.
Labels:
chrysalis,
Margined White,
Pieris marginalis
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