After finding peacock butterfly larvae on my nettles I have been keeping an eye out
the caterpillars disapeared and I found this chrysilis ( excuse spelling) and not sure if its peacock.
I tried checking hopeing to photo the butterfly and could not find it this morning but found a couple of these
On checking they seem to be Comma caterpillars
So I'm double chuffed about the outcome of letting a few nettles grow in my garden.
Can anyone help with the chrysilis
Ray
a good laugh is better than a tonic
I am no good with butterflies etc, but I hope your patch of nettles has paid off :)
Sarah
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bramble67/
Have found the chrysalis on the ground still attatched to a fallen leaf
hung it in the shed so fingers crossed
How exciting, I think the chrysalis is a tortoiseshell
Cin J
Pleased to see your success with the nettle patch. I must go and check mine and see what I can find.
SB
There is something new to learn everyday...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skylark58/
Thanks for your kind remarks
Germain,
My first guess for the chrysalis was tortoiseshell but little colours are missing and it makes me think that the original caterpillers were tortioseshell but either way my nettles have been worth while. See what you think with the pictures.
Hope you are as lucky as me. Keep the anthisan cream handy lol.
Ray, if the chrysalis is a torti it will take about 12 days to emerge, peacock about 2 weeks, both can be golden, the 'pillars look like torti. Whatever they are its really exciting. The Comma chrysalis is cryptically marked - it looks a bit like a curled withered leaf which is where it will be and again takes about 2 weeks.
Can I recommend a book that is really great? it's the one suggested for people doing monitoring - it's not expensive and shows life stages and 2nd generation forms really well and as your bed is such a success I am sure you would find it useful esp. with the 'pillars and as it is not a huge great tome so easy to take out and about. The Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland by Richard Lewington published by British Wildlife Publishing ISBN 978-0-9531399-1-0 .
Really hope you manage to get the butterfly emerging :)
Caroline in Jersey
Thanks Caroline
will cerainly look out for the book.
Going away Thursday for a week and just my luck to miss the emerge of the butterfly as I wanted to photo it happening. lol
This identification site might help until you get your book. I will have to look closer at my nettles to see what I can find :) Thanks for the pictures great ones.
www.uksafari.com/caterpillars.htm
Sue
Thanks Sue
Almost certain that cats and chrysalis are small tortoiseshell.
The Comma caterpillers are wierd and its a first for me, they are obviously immitating bird droppings