noun
chrysalis of a swallowtail butterfly (esp. Atrophaneura alcinous)
Colloquial name for the chrysalis of the Chinese windmill butterfly (Atrophaneura alcinous, formerly known as 麝香揚羽). Rarely used outside of entomological or local contexts.
See also: 麝香揚羽 (じゃこうあげは)
庭の木に阿菊虫がついていた。
There was a swallowtail chrysalis on the tree in the garden.
Refers to the adult butterfly (Atrophaneura alcinous), while 阿菊虫 specifically denotes its chrysalis stage.
The name likely derives from a local or folk association, possibly with the chrysalis's appearance, but the exact origin is uncertain.