As widely publicised, it's been a difficult season for Monarch Butterflies throughout New Zealand, the same here at Struan Farm. We've had lots of dead caterpillars on swan plants in the gardens, killed by beetles or from other causes. Chrysalises and caterpillars are still around, so I'm hoping they'll make it through to butterflies before the weather turns much colder.
Given this state of affairs I was very happy to see a recently emerged butterfly working out its wings on one of the swan plants. After they pull themselves out of the chrysalis they unfurl their wings gradually and dry them by flapping slowly to get them working before flight. This one's left wing still looks a bit unfurled, here's hoping it isn't defective.
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