Observation date: June 13, 2021
Submitted by: treys grammy
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: On September 27, 2020, we found a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar in its final instar. Beautiful yellow creature crawling on a walking trail we frequent. We broke a small branch off a nearby sassafras tree, took the caterpillar home, and put it in our butterfly cage; we were hoping to make it a learning experience for the grandkids. We kept that caterpillar for the next 259 days, eventually giving up any hope that a butterfly would emerge, but this morning when I stepped outside and looked, out of habit, there was a butterfly!!! We unzipped the butterfly cage, carefully removed the little branch holding the remains of the chrysalis and the newly emerged butterfly, tucked the branch into a sheltered spot in some honeysuckle and watched it quietly resting and drying its wings, and then it was time to leave for church. When we got home later this afternoon, the butterfly was gone, as we expected. We can’t help but wonder if 259 days is normal at all!!
Status: Resident
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: June 14, 2021
Coordinator notes: None.
