Sunday, May 3, 2009

In My Garden #2

A lime tree is usually the favourite place for butterflies to lay eggs, thus routine check before seeing most of the leaves become victim of the caterpillars is always in my "must" checklist. This gave me the hint to look for crawling caterpillars in the tree. Anyhow it was too late to see caterpillar, instead I found a chrysalis hanging from the bottom of a leaf.

The aerodynamic design helped this chrysalis to withstand strong wind, I see. But please do not be mistaken, this is only my part of theory.

Observe carefully you may find the chrysalis was attached to the bottom surface of a leaf by a silken pad spun by the caterpillar. I counted there were totally three thin silky threads holding the chrysalis in place.

Once I shook the twig, the chrysalis vibrated like a swing but remained intact. This is another fascinating design of the nature.

I came back the next morning after a heavy rain at the break of dawn. My garden was wet, fallen leaves from grape tree were scattered around. The chrysalis was still there, with a hot couple misusing its abdomen. It was helpless, immovable and largely defenseless, what it could do was only crying silently. Can you see the tear holding for the last minutes before tearing apart from the chrysalis?

This last picture shows two of the silky threads much clearly for your view. The hot couple focused too much on their affairs, though in the open, they remained ignorant even I kept changing angles looking at them.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is incredible! I'm fascinated by your description, and the photos are marvelous!

Rick (Ratty) said...

I love the pictures. Your story was fun to read. I think I'd cry too if I woke up to that.

betchai said...

wow, very fascinating and informative. thank you so much for the information, i have 2 lime trees here, but i never thought about caterpillars, our lime trees are my favorite spot to find a hummingbird, but never thought about butterfly and caterpillars. I will look around for sure. Like Ratty, I too, would cry if I woke up to that magnificent sight. Nature speaks, indeed.

rainfield61 said...

Icy BC: Yes, I am also fascinated by my description. The rain continues for 2 days, non-stop until now. Great to know I am still thoughtful.

Ratty: But the dwarf in deceptive squirrel is even more funny. If I followed him further, he might bring me surprise.

betchai: Then you can tell me whether there are any caterpillars in American lime trees.

roentare said...

American Lime Trees? Thought it would be hard for the aterpillars to grow!

Again, great images from your garden

The Retired One said...

Great pictures...and the fact that you captured the silk threads...remarkable!

The Retirement Chronicles

rainfield61 said...

roentarre:I do not have knowledge about this either. Glad to get feedback from someone who know the answer.

The Retired One: You have shown us more and more beautiful flowers as well. Cheers.

Mike said...

Rainfield great shots, the last one is fantastic.

rainfield61 said...

Mike: Just like a baby in his mother's eye, they are all fantastic. Thanks for your compliment. This is my motivation.