Brand new! This Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) has just emerged from its chrysalis.
A couple years ago I decided that if I wanted to see Pipevine Swallowtails, I should get a plant that would engage them. Their host plants are in the genus Aristolochia. One of them, Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia tomentosa) filled the bill since it’s native to the eastern US and southeastern Canada. Perfect. I put up a trellis, planted it and let it grow.
And nature did its magic. Pipevine Swallowtails came and deposited eggs on the leaves. Those eggs became caterpillars. Many caterpillars.
I was beside myself with glee.
The little caterpillars ate the leaves of the vine, getting larger and larger until it was time for each of them to create a chrysalis. Much to my surprise one of the plump black and orange dotted creatures decided to present me with a gift. The gift of perfect location. It built its chrysalis right next to my front door at the perfect height for me to watch its progress. The perfect height for my camera to capture happenings.
The chrysalis was attached to the cedar siding with two little silken threads, one at the back and the other near the front. And it hung there day after day. Glowing with its incredible coloring. Glowing yellow creating the illusion of warm candlelight coming from within.
As time passed the chrysalis turned more and more paper bag brown. But still it seemed to glow from within with that warm candlelight yellow.
Then at about day 17, the chrysalis looked as if there was something inside, not just candlelight but something resembling a butterfly eager to get out. I thought about manning a station. Sitting, watching constantly to see the miraculous moment when the butterfly emerged. But I didn’t.
My next observation just a short time later, the chrysalis was just an empty shell. The incredible NEW butterfly was hanging onto the siding, pumping its butterfly “blood” into its wings. Getting ready to fly away to begin its extremely short life of just 6 to 14 days.
What an extraordinary thing to witness. I’m so very glad I planted that Wooly Dutchman’s Pipe.
6 responses to “Pipevine Swallowtail”
Wow! Dramatic pictures, and a beautiful “story” about the life of a butterfly. I love your butterfly pictures, which may be my favorites. Except you’ve posted some other pictures that take my breath away. Thanks for doing this blog!
Hi Mary! Thank you for your very kind comments. I’m thoroughly loving sharing the world of nature with you and others. So much goes on – it keeps me very busy. This story was such an exciting event – right on my front porch!
Thank you so much for reading my posts!
Bren
Nobel Prize in something for Brenda!
Wow Bruce! Thanks BUNCHES! I appreciate your nominating me! 🙂
Thank you so much for reading my posts.
Bren
Hi Brenda
Thank you for these beautiful Pipevine Swallowtail pictures and the touching narrative. I’ve collected and nurtured many Monarch caterpillars over the years and each eclosure is as incredible as the first time I witnessed this amazing transformation . The wonder never fades, does it.
Thanks for your blog reminding readers of all the beauty that surrounds them. As with the butterflies, the wonder never fades.
— Sally
Oh Sally! Thank you so much. I’m pleased to see that someone that feels the same was that I do is reading my blog posts! Nature is SO amazing and all we have to do is look around and there it is!
So very very glad that you read my posts!
Bren