off-topic: help identifying butterfly predator

ChrisPRG Cerritos, CA Aug 17, 2013

I found a strange sight today and would appreciate anyone who can give some insight on which insect/spider/parasite is known to behead butterflies in its feeding/reproduction process. I apologize in advance for the mediocre photo quality.

I have attached pictures of a dead headless butterfly perched in its freshly hatched position outside a broken chrysalis. The head (or what appears to be a head), is located no more than an inch away, wrapped distinctively in webbing, off to the side of the butterfly. One picture shows the 1 cm long black spiky needle like structures that are protruding from the remnants of the butterfly's detached head. Other photographs are from different angles.
There is no evidence of webbing around any part of the butterfly except its head.

thanks all!!

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pollengarden Pueblo, CO(Zone 5b) Aug 17, 2013

Just a guess -
I have seen wasps try to pick up caterpillars and cut them in half in the process. The wasps aren't trying to eat their prey, they are trying to haul it off to their nest - and might give up if they can't pick it up in one piece. I would say that the web was already there and the head getting caught in it was a coincidence. Praying Mantis can also sever things in two, but then they usually go ahead and eat them.
Again, I am just guessing

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