Yesterday, during one of our evening backyard games of kick-fly, we stumbled upon a monarch viceroy butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. Needless to say, this stopped us in our tracks. We all watched as this minute-old insect slowly dried its beautiful wings and prepared to take flight. My mother-in-law taught me everything I know about monarchs, so I was surprised to see the chrysalis attached to a willow tree rather than some milkweed (now I know this is because it’s a viceroy), but this little guy must have found plenty to eat. I like how you can still see some of the caterpillar’s pattern on the empty chrysalis – so cool! About an hour later, it was gone…
Update: Thanks to reader Kelly for telling me this is a viceroy, not a monarch!
This image is beautiful, Chad! The butterfly is actually a viceroy (told from the monarch by the black line across the hindwing). Caterpillars of the species feast on willow, so your backyard provides good habitat. How lovely that you got to see the adult emerge.
Ah, thanks for the info Kelly! I thought its placement on the willow was odd.