Young country diary: Helping a butterfly into its new phase of life | Ottoline

Cambridgeshire: It was nearly ready to fly but it was partly out of its chrysalis and partly still in itOn Sunday morning, I was pottering in the garden wondering what to do. I saw a flapping coming from my wildflower patch, so I went to my clump of clover. I pushed it away, only to reveal a large white butterfly fresh out of its chrysalis. It had been drying its damp wings in the sun.Then I realised that part of the butterfly's chrysalis was still on its wing, and the other wing was already dry and ready to fly. I watched the butterfly for a while. The butterfly tried to get the chrysalis off, but it had used up all its energy. I realised that it needed some help, so I tugged the chrysalis as gently as I could. The butterfly didn't move but the chrysalis did, so I tugged a little bit harder and off it came. Continue reading...