Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: DAILY BUTTERFLIES Page 57, 1 by Sheila_FW

Sheila_FW wrote:
mjs.... They may have been parasitized. The ones that made their chrysalis could have been also, but let's hope now. It is sad but unfortunately that is the way of nature. A fly and a wasp that are super tiny will lay their eggs under the skin of the caterpillar. When their eggs hatch they begin eating the "non-essential" insides of the cat; that however is the makings of the butterfly. They may die earlier as your's did, or go on to make a chrysalis then it gets black spots and mushy and never emerges as a butterfly; the wasp or fly hatches out. Here is one I had last year. It was from a caterpillar that was in a third instar when I collected it. I figure the earlier I can collect and cage them the better chance I have of getting them before the wasp or fly does.