I have to amend my message slightly. After getting the eggs inside and showing them to Mom under a light, I think they were laid a few days ago. They are much darker than they should be, probably because the caterpillars are already forming in there. I can see the chewy nougat center. But it could still have been the same female. I'm hoping by removing the eggs she will lay more. That "may" have been why she didn't lay any today. Books will tell you that a butterfly will not lay eggs on a plant that already has eggs or caterpillars on it. That's mostly true, but I've seen enough of them do it to know better. And not just in captivity where they have no choice. Polydamas don't care. They'll lay everywhere and anywhere, as long as it's pipevine.
Greene, I hope your caterpillar has wandered off to become a chrysalis. And I'm also glad you brought up a good point I'd never thought to talk about. Yes, caterpillars will build chrysalises in crazy places, no sticks or plant material needed. In captivity, that means they silk up the side of the tank and just make their silk girdle right there. Monarchs seem to prefer going all the way to the top to hang from the cheesecloth I use. Outside, I have found chrysalises on the stucco and once on the plastic hose hanger thingie. If they can silk themselves to it, it will work. Now, I am going to put some sticks in there for them to emerge on. The Tiger ST up high is fine because he can either dangle from the chrysalis or climb up to the cheesecloth to hang and let the wings expand. The reason I was puzzled about the other building so low was because when he comes out, he won't be able to hang from his chrysalis without hitting the bottom of the tank. Butterflies aren't very good at climbing plastic unless there's a lot of silk there. So I'll put some sticks in for when they eclose.
And I forgot to mention that while searching the pipevine I found a paper wasp nest on the fence pillar. I took off my platform sandal and squished the you know what out of it. I'm not letting wasps near my caterpillars! Also, one stung me years ago and that was a declaration of war. That wound will never be forgotten.
