Before (above) and After (below).
“Nellie” is Alive and Kicking!
I notice that Nellie moves around a bit so, before I go away for 2 weeks mid October, I mark the spot where she lies in her box. You can see that she is alive and mobile. This is good news. On my return, I also find the small grey-green chrysalis stuck to the side of a green poly bee hive. I rescue this from being a potential blue-tit snack and place it along side Nellie to observe development. The wee bee apprentice checks out these animals weekly when she visits. Connie likes to call the elephant hawk moth Norbert so we’ve compromised and the “official” moniker is Nellie Norbert. The open box is in the cold porch. If they emerge when I am not around in spring then they have space to fly till I release them outside.
Great fun, an unidentified (and probably unidentifiable) chrysalis – no idea what it is until it finally puts in an appearance. At least you can be sure itβs not a wax moth!… I think…
That’s very true, Avery.
How exciting, Jennifer.It would be fantastic if you could share the photos when they emerge. I didn’t keep my chrysalis hydrated so it didn’t emerge. I was not aware that I should have sprayed it with water now and again.
I have two eli hawk moths in chrysalis form. Ive had them since last year, along with a buff ermine chrysalis and a grey dagger which made it cuckoon on the end of a fat twig which they bore into to pupate so ive got a busy crew here. Both eli hawk moth chrysalises are different sizes and colour and im getting very excited and want to meet them and the others