DEATH

Yes, when I went back the next day, I realized that the Common Birdwing pupa was dead. Just look at the decapitated carcass left on the Aristolochia acuminata.

In addition, the Common Rose pupa was nowhere to be seen.

What was obvious was that some pruning was done and some of the branches were removed. In the process, the unsuspecting worker might have ripped the Common Birdwing pupa into two and remove the Common Rose pupa without their knowledge.

Sigh, it was a sad day.

CATERPILLARS & PUPAE

These were taken over 2 days but my joy was shortlived. I will get to this again in another post.

On those 2 days, I saw at least 8 Common Rose cats on these straggly stands of Aristolochia acuminata. Like my colleague said yesterday, it is the Common Rose season again. Anyway, there were these beautiful Common Birdwing and Common Rose pupae and I reminded myself to come back and check on them frequently.

There were 2 lizards hanging around, presumably to feed on some of them or the other insects e.g. ants.

I left knowing that all was not lost since these beautiful creatures were flourishing in this area with our planting of their host plants.