So one of the crysalis is getting near hatching time and I can see his/her wings. It wasn't attached to anything very solid (I think it was on a leaf that someone else ate) so I went and tied on a lifeline for in case it breaks off when they are trying to hatch.

Very cold tonight though so I am a bit worried.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 week ago (2 children)

How's it going this morning?

[–] liv@lemmy.nz 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Report from today: they successfully hatched!!

So did another one from a chrysalis I hadn't even noticed as it's on a very scruffy tree that I thought had no caterpillars. I didn't get a photo because they must have hatched this morning and now won't keep still.

Hopefully they will get the memo that it's cold and not a lot to eat, and go and hibernate somewhere.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Yay!

These are monarch butterflies? Do our ones hibernate rather than migrate?

[–] eagleeyedtiger@lemmy.nz 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

They overwinter! There was an article just recently talking about how there are not as many Monarchs being spotted hibernating this winter: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/butterfly-experts-call-for-help-with-drop-in-monarch-butterfly-sightings-strange-winter-trend/W7ZMLXM7IZEDTCHTSGAM4B6QMU/

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 3 points 6 days ago

Huh. I few weeks back I was in Hawera, and stopped at a park there. There was a tree absolutely swarming with what looked like monarchs. I managed to find a picture!

photo of many monarch butterflies swarming a tree

Now I know what it was!

[–] liv@lemmy.nz 2 points 6 days ago

I... do not know. I will go out there and report back.

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