Chrysalis of a moth ?

bonitin · #1 (**permalink**) 27-04-2009, 05:24 PM

Hi,

I found this beautiful chrysalis in a strange place in my fathers greenhouse last autumn. Reminds me of a mummy in a sarcofage..

It was laying in a small open wood box among small tools. Finding it fascinating, I took it home and placed it safely in a mini greenhouse with a bit of soil at the bottom and dried leaves. I left the lid a few cm open for the air circulation also as a precaution for in case I would forget about it and the creature that would come out of it would have an escape route, for that reason I also placed some small dry branches upright as a climbing support to the opening..
The last time I checked it was only a few days ago and it still looked the same as when I found it, perhaps a little more curved and a bit more soft feeling.
Today I remembered it again but when I looked the crysalis was empty! There was an opening where the head is supposed to be

and no sign of the creature that had emerged neither. Of course it must have flew off! But I still would like to know if it could have been from a moth ?

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 27-04-2009, 08:06 PM

Yes this is from a moth. Although im not sure on the exact species.

bonitin · #3 (**permalink**) 27-04-2009, 10:02 PM

Thanks Dogghound for the confirmation!

I had hoped to find out its full id by witnessing the birth, but alas it didn't work, next time I'll have to remind myself to look at least once a day in the period they're supposed to emerge.. I wonder how long the birth process lasts ?...

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 28-04-2009, 12:41 PM

Its dependant on species, temperatue etc, its usually around an hour or so before it is ready for flight. This pupa looks like its come from a noctuid.