As I was bringing back the mint leaves that I picked from the garden into the house, I noticed a something clinging on to one of the leaves. I shrieked at first, 'cause ew, squishy caterpillars. But then I realized it wasn't moving and upon closer inspection it was actually a cocoon.
So, with a pair of tweezers and gloved hands, I snipped the leaf with the cocoon attached to it off from the other mint leaves and placed it under a glass dome. I figured it's chances of survival would probably be higher than if I had left it outside where birds and humans might get it.
I wasn't really sure what to do or where to place it, so I incorporated it into the dining room center piece where it was warm and got natural light. A week or so passed and nothing happened.
But on one super sunny day I decided to place the cocoon and pedestal near a sun filled window. Upon checking on it a few hours later, I saw that there was blood everywhere. My initial thought was that Tank had gotten to it, but saw that the glass dome was still on and nothing was broken.
Turns out the butterfly had finally emerged from it's cocoon! It's wings were still damp and closed, and there was liquid all over the inside of the glass. Gross and fascinating at the same time.
I snapped some photos, then took it outside to set it free.
I snapped some photos, then took it outside to set it free.
Look at those gorgeous wings!
Moments after removing the glass, it aired out it's wings and took off leaving it's once caterpillar life behind. Its amazing how this digesting and rearranging oneself transformation happens.