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Project Noah Nature School
Papilio polyxenes chrysalis
Fly checking out his new home, an empty black swallowtail chrysalis. Without the curious fly, these photos would be boring. Thanks fly! HA!
Meadow on our property in the Poconos.
Spotted on Sep 22, 2011
Submitted on Nov 3, 2011
5 Comments
That hole is probably the exit of a parasitoid that infiltrated the chrysalis. It feeds on the developing butterfly inside, then once it reaches adulthood, cuts a hole and goes on its merry way, leaving an empty chrysalis.
And a fly
Thank you so much! I found 3 black swallowtail caterpillars, even one just today. And took photos of about 5 different black swallowtail butterflies in our meadow.
You are welcome Carol! Cool shot with the fly!
Looks like an empty chrysalis from one of the swallowtail species.