When wall bangars turn fatal.
Yes, I'm sorry to say, it was a rape. Pupal rape, to be exact. The Long-Wing Zebra, the state butterfly for Florida, is well known to be over-aggressive to female butterflies. I read about it, but didn't witness it until recently. The males are so aggressive that they try to impregnate the female before it even comes out of the chrysalis. I've seen pictures where two males hang on each side of the chrysalis, just waiting for the female to emerge enough to do the dirty deed. Unfortunately, some don't wait and break through the shell. Some butterfly enthusiast even claim they know which one will win depending on what side they take up.
Well, for three days I saw this one section of the wall constantly attracting the attention of two butterflies. One would have their wings open wide as if to protect the chrysalis from the attacking butterfly. I had a feeling that the chrysalis formed too out in the open, on too hard of a surface and that I should take it down, but, this thing they do, as they emerge from the chrysalis, doesn't take too kindly to outside meddling, as I learned when I manipulated one for a better photographic shot.
Anyway, I checked on it today, hoping to find an empty chrysalis. What I found was a black tarry body with what looked like a head and antennae. So, sad and gross. But, it just goes to show you that nature doesn't get it right either.
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