Watching butterflies hatch is definitely one of the highlights when dealing with butterflies. In case of many species reaching this moment requires patience. It may easily take up to 10 months or more before the adult hatches.
This spring the first butterflies to hatch were Map butterflies (Araschnia levana). They hatched pretty late due to cold weather throughout spring. The timing was good as most of the 11 chrysalises hatched on a Saturday. The evening before the wings started shimmer through the pupa, a sign that something’s about to happen. I used the moment to prepare a “hatching window” for our daughter Sienna. Despite of the small size of the butterflies I also allowed her letting some of them free (taking some good shots first, of course).
“Hatching window” for observing Map butterflies emerge
Freshly hatched Map butterfly
Map butterfly observed by daughter Sienna
Map butterfly being released into nature
Raising butterflies means getting real close-ups
A week later, the first White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album) emerged. This individual was way too early for its species, but originally the caterpillars (which overwinter within the egg) hatched early after spending winter in our fridge. This species is often difficult to spot in nature, and when seeing one flying the wings may have suffered quite a lot already. Therefor, to get a perfect specimen raising them is the best option.
White-letter Hairstreak after hatching
Sienna taking a close look at the tiny hairstreak
White-letter Hairstreak being reviewed by Sienna
Freshly hatched White-letter Hairstreak
The third species to hatch was surprisingly a Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi). After confirming that it was a female I brought the moth to a friend of mine who tried to place it into a cage for attracting males. This way we could get fresh eggs to raise a new generation, which will hatch and show the same beauty again next year.
Female Poplar Hawk-moth
Poplar Hawk-moth on its way to attracting males
Female before being placed in a cage for attracting males