Like butterfly eggs, butterfly chrysalises can be difficult to find in your garden. Once the caterpillar is finished feeding on the host plant (about two weeks), it will leave the plant in search of a safe, secluded spot to form the chrysalis.
Read more: How to Find Butterfly Chrysalises
Caterpillars can be masters of camouflage, disguising their chrysalises by shape or color to match their surroundings, making finding chrysalises more difficult for us – and their predators! On this page, you’ll see the shapes, sizes, and colors of butterfly chrysalises.
ID Guide for Over 25 Types of Butterfly Chrysalis
View the side-by-side photo comparison below to identify butterfly chrysalises. Select a chrysalis image to see butterfly photos along with pictures of their eggs, caterpillars, chrysalis, and flight range map.
Next Up…
- How to Find Butterfly Chrysalises
- What Happens to Butterflies and Caterpillars in the Winter?
- Butterfly Life Cycle Stages
- Learn the Difference Between a Chrysalis and a Cocoon.