When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Most orders are shipped within 48 hours of placement except on weekends and federal holidays. Shipping is via USPS Priority Mail (usually 2-3 business days to most US destinations barring delays). For best chance of safe shipment, it is recommended to 1) check your local weather forecast before ordering to ensure your package does not arrive in severe weather (ideally, above freezing and below 85° F) and 2) retrieve the package from your mailbox immediately (or as soon as possible) upon delivery. Orders placed without taking the above precautions are at buyer\'s risk.
Contains one single live western tiger swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) chrysalis (pupa). This is one of the largest butterflies native to western North America. A familiar sight in urban and riparian settings where it soars gracefully among the tree tops.
These pupae are in diapause (overwintering) and are expected to eclose in spring or summer 2027 depending on your local climate.Note that this is just an estimate and that it is natural and not uncommon for our Papilio rutulus population to have desynchronized or delayed eclosions (typical for species adapted to our Mediterranean climate), so please be patient.
It can be difficult to give specific overwintering advice due to differences in local weather. If you live in coastal California (where this population is native to), you can overwinter under natural conditions in a sheltered area outdoors. For most other places in the country, it is probably better to place in a sealed plastic container in the refrigerator, then remove and expose to natural daylength cycles once weather warms. If ordering pupae from around mid March onwards, you may not need to refrigerate.
All pupae are weighed to assess viability prior to shipping and are guaranteed to be alive at time of shipment. I cannot be responsible for any failures once they are in your care. The easiest way to check if pupae are still viable is to weigh them with a macro scale. Record the initial weight after receiving them and reweigh them periodically to monitor changes.Some weight loss is normal over time (~10-20%), especially as pupae are close to eclosing, but dead pupae will become nearly weightless.
