Complete

Sometime this afternoon, the cloudless sulphur caterpillar created its chrysalis. From research, the caterpillars will grow anywhere between 1.6 to 1.8 inches before making the chrsyalis.

The cloudless sulphur has a super unique chrysalis, as this one too hangs vertically, while being supported by a silk girdle. The chrysalis can either be shades of green, or pink with yellow lines. The shape is to help camouflage with the host plant leaves.

When it emerges, it will be a stunning shade of yellow.

Our newest chrysalis

On Tuesday our cloudless sulphur caterpillar was roaming around the butterfly house in search of the ideal space for its chrysalis.

It’s interesting how dark the coloring was before it began the next stage.

From early this morning until mid afternoon it finished the process.

This sulphur hangs vertically from a silk pad, as well as being suspended from the silk girdle.

Did you know the cloudless sulphur is called “cloudless” because the male is pure yellow without any markings on the top of its wings? This species is very popular in our area, as females migrate south through Florida to the southern counties of the state.

Check out my cloudless sulphur page: https://bit.ly/3OAeHXa