Observation date: July 29, 2017
Date notes: Found as chrysalis on July 29th around 7:00pm; Hatched on August 8th sometime shortly before 12:30/1:00pm.
Submitted by: Angelala
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: • LOCATION: Milton, Ontario, Canada
• FOUND: Saturday, July 29th (around 7pm)
• HATCHED: August 8th, 2017 (around 12pm)
I found this chrysalis in the dirt after removing a Bittersweet Nightshade plant that had been growing along the wooden fence-line in my backyard. When I picked it up, it started wriggling in a vigorous circular motion at its bottom end. I had no idea what it was, but after google told me it was likely a moth or butterfly chrysalis, I gathered some soil from the area I had originally found it, and kept it in a container to see what it would become once it emerged. I kept the container outdoors, and misted the earth lightly with water every other day.
• I discovered that it had hatched on August 8th sometime shortly before 1pm (which is when I took the attached photos of it).
• The weather during the weeks I kept and watched the chrysalis ranged between lows of 14 degrees Celsius and highs of around 30 degrees Celsius. The container it occupied was kept outdoors in the shade.
• The day before it hatched (Aug. 7) I noticed that the chrysalis was a darker colour than when I found it, and it felt somewhat softer/thinner to the touch. It was also larger and seemed slightly translucent and reddish in some areas, as the moth/butterfly had grown and was evidently almost ready to emerge.
• Holding it gently between two fingers at this time (Aug. 7, evening before hatching) I noticed that its back end wasn't rotating in circles as quickly or for as long as it had done in days/weeks prior. For the first time however, I could feel a slight (yet strong feeling) tapping/vibrating sensation around the middle area of the chrysalis, where previously I had only felt movement toward its pointed bottom area.
• It flew a shortly after the photo I took of the moth/butterfly emerging; haltingly and clumsily at first, requiring several landings to rest, before flying off in the direction of some shady trees/bushes.
I have no idea what kind of moth or butterfly this is, and would love help identifying it, both its scientific name and colloquial nickname if it has one (it was suggested to me that it was a "tomato worm" or "cutworm" while still in its chrysalis; I am, again, new to this so have no idea!) I hope to contribute much more in the future - this was a fascinating, fun and enlightening experience! Thanks to all for taking the time to read/help identify.
Status: Resident
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: August 09, 2017
Coordinator notes: None.
