13 January 2014

Overwintering 2014

Overwintering on clematis stalk

It’s difficult to know how anything survives – the rain, the cold, the wind all conspire to drown, freeze and blow all apart.  This example of resilient fragility was spotted by Chris in the quarry garden.  The colour of this pupa is similar to that of the clematis shoots that are already appearing – somewhat optimistically.  Is it a moth?  The Calderdale site has an image of a chrysalis which looks very similar to this one and that is thought to be a Green-veined White (Pieris napi).  The silk threads anchoring the pupa to the stalk are clearly visible.

Overwintering (close-up)