We didn't really have a memorable millennium summer in the North of England, however, we were cheered up by the successful raising of 5 Painted Lady butterflies. 

The Larvae were not taken from the wild, but were supplied by a firm called Insect Lore, who provide very tiny larvae and enough food to enable the caterpillars to grow, doubling their size nearly every day, and eventually turn into chrysalides. When fully grown, the caterpillars hang upside down for nearly 24 hours and then with a final vigorous shaking, they shed their last caterpillar skin, taking a new shape. A few hours later the chrysalis hardens and contains beautiful golden markings.

For the next 7-10 days the chrysalides appear stationary, hiding the incredible transformation occurring within. In fact the soup inside the chrysalis is reforming into a butterfly. As the butterfly becomes ready to emerge, the chrysalis becomes darker, until the skin splits and the butterfly struggles free, a bit damp, but perfectly formed...apart from the proboscis which is split vertically and is knitted together by the butterfly using its front legs. They hang until the wings dry, and exude a red dye (as seen on the rose quartz), left over pigment from the wings. Eventually they are ready to take their first faltering flutters. 

Ours chose a rainy day to emerge, so we kept them in a specially supplied box, decorated with stones, flowers and with sugared water to feed from. We found that they loved the stones to rest on, in particular a piece of rose quartz, which they appeared to hug with their wings. We placed the sugared water on a tray containing open flowers.

Happily the next day was warmer and after taking these photographs, the open box was placed outside, and they flew off to enjoy the rest of their lives - hopefully to mate and lay eggs for the next generation.