gwendolyn-'s Identifications

(Protostome 1 - Hexapoda)
Visual: Images include the entire life cycle of the Monarch butterfly. The larvae shown here is quite large and has molted (ecdysis) several times to achieve that size and is near metamorphosis. The butterfly found in the images were right outside the forested area of were the larvae was found. In the chrysalis photos the pale green chrysalis was formed about 1 to 3 days post a sufficient larval size for metamorphosis. The second chrysalis photo depicts what the casing looks like the day of emergence. The following photo shows how the butterfly looks after emergence. The butterfly will remain attached to their chrysalis remains for some time flapping and drying out their new wings. In one of the egg pictures shows there are black circles to indicate the location of the monarch butterfly eggs. These eggs tend to be the size of 1/4 a grain of rice and have a yellowish creme color.
Habitat: All organisms were found in a wetland habitat. Close to the ferns there is a large lake and the soil was relatively damp around the plant as well. There seems to be a lot of plant competition for sunlight in the area. The images of the butterfly chrysalis were found on a potted milkweed plant near the wetland habitat mentioned.
Geographic Distribution: "The monarch butterfly is found in North America from southern Canada south to South America and the Caribbean."
Source: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/monarch.htm
Reference: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/m/monarch-butterfly/

Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) 9 inch long turtles that have outer oval shaped-shells. They have a grey shell with a dark green body and yellowish orange underside. This specific chicken turtle was found crossing the road from grass to other side of grass. They are often found in coastal areas and live in aquatic habitats such as ponds and shallow waters. Key characteristics include striped neck and their egg laying periods occur in the late summer. and shorter life span compared to other turtles.
Source: https://srelherp.uga.edu/turtles/deiret.htm

Herpothallon rubrocinctum, or more commonly known as christmas lichen, is a fungus found on trees. They are normally found on the gulf coast of Mexico and Central America, along with the coasts of Florida and the Carolinas. The physical appearance of this lichen is a bright red, with some off white spots throughout it. Lichens have mutual relationships with the tree, or host, it is on. The tree provides the essential nutrients for the lichen to survive, and the lichen provides protection against algae and other potentially harmful organisms. Along with trees, the christmas lichen can be found on rocks or even gravestones. Anywhere that can provide sunlight, and tropical environments. Folk, Tom. “The Christmas Lichen.” Cryptothecia Rubrocincta, the Christmas Lichen-- Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month for December 2006, Dec. 2006, botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/dec2006.html.

The butterfly has black wings that have a distinct yellow and blue pattern surrounding the edges of the wings. The wings contain a checkered pattern with two rows of yellow checks, with blue spots in the middle. The hindwing edge has a tail edge, with ridges lining the edges. The organism is about 2.5 inches long and has symmetric wings. The body of the butterfly also contains yellow patterns. This observation was made in the garden of a suburban residential community, which falls into a urban habitat.

https://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Papilio+polyxenes&mobile=close&flags=glean:

Note that the image is of the butterfly and not the surrounding flora.