Do you collect these from your garden?

What you very nearly witnessed, Laura, was what is called "pupal rape," and is quite common with some species. When I had my yard filled with hundreds (literally) of zebra longwings, I witnessed it several times. There would be two males hanging on to the outside of a chrysalis while the female was hatching out. Before her wings were even beginning to dry, the winner of the battle between the males would be mating with the female. It was rather astounding to watch. Life expectancy varies greatly between species, I think. Have to check, but I'm pretty sure some live quite a bit longer than others. Marcia

Oh, no chickens here :) We usually are gone by early May, so we don't get to enjoy the canna flowers. I do like their nice big leaves, though. I'm thinking about planting a copperleaf plant (Acalypha) in their place. I realize it may die back in cold weather but I love the look of the colorful, big leaves. Or maybe a jatropha. Or maybe a fragrant plant, some type of jasmine maybe? I love sweet fragrant flowers. Or maybe look for a plant the butterflies would enjoy. So I see the loss of the cannas as an opportunity to enjoy something else. Marcia

Where are you getting these? Are you buying them? Good to see a healthy one.