What happens when they emerge?
First the legs emerge. They reach out, find something to hold onto, and pull the rest of the body out. The wings are small and soft, but soon expand as the butterfly pumps fluid into them. When they are fully expanded, the wings can dry. The butterfly excretes excess fluid, and is ready to be released. We do two releases each day. Even if butterflies are ready to go, they wait. Opening and closing the emerging window dries out the chamber, and can cause damage to the pupae.
