Monarch Chrysalis Fell

One of our monarch chrysalis fell off a branch and is lying on its side. Any help to make it hang again?

Karen says:
Yes, I have also had this happen. As soon as possible get some thread and carefully tie the piece of thread to the top of the chrysalis which is black and looks like a stem. Then tie the thread to the branch or a branch set in a narrow stemmed vase. Handle the chrysalis as little as possible. I hope this helps.

Here is more information on the monarch butterfly chrysalis.

3rd Grade Monarch Butterflies at WDP-LLPCS

by Mrs. Pemberton
(Philadelphia, PA, USA)

We are observing Monarch Butterflies. Our first chrysalis formed over the weekend. During our observation one of our students bumped the container and knocked down a chrysalis. We would like to know if the chrysalis will continue to form even though it's on the bottom of the container? Please help and tell us what to do?

Karen says:
I would try and reattach the chrysalis by following the instructions above. Make sure and check out the life cycle of the monarch butterfly and elementary science projects for the classroom :) Good luck! Let me know what happens :)

Reattaching chrysalis

by Beth Viehmann
(Ipswich, MA)

The chrysalis fell off and needs to be re-attached. What do I need to use to re-attach to a stick?

Karen says:
If it is a monarch chrysalis, follow the directions above and don't forget to try to handle the chrysalis as little as possible...it is very fragile.

Chrysalis question

by Julia
(New York)

This is my first time trying to raise a monarch. He has attached himself to the underside of a milkweed leaf and made the chrysalis. Unfortunately, it is a rather old milkweed that I was about to change. It is very limp and I'm not sure it will hold him the 9-14 days that the chrysalis requires. What should I do?

Karen says:
If you can cut the stem of the milkweed and put it in fresh water, maybe you can keep the leaf alive. Otherwise you could take a piece of thread and very carefully tie it to the top "black stem" of the chrysalis and then remove it from the leaf and tie the thread to a branch. Try to handle the chrysalis as little as possible. I hope this helps.

Cryslaides on a Tray?

Someone who raises a lot of monarchs, recently told us that you can take the hanging pupae and put them on a tray for easier storage while they pupate. This also allows for easier viewing once they emerge. Do you know anything about this? I read a bit about the hot glue, but don't know if they mentioned that...

Karen says:
My experience is that it is best to handle the chrysalis as little as possible....they are quite fragile. I have just persisted in putting my caterpillars back on a stick or plant when they start to wander and they eventually attach themselves. This way you have a great view when they turn into a chrysalis and emerge as a butterfly. Or you could put them in a butterfly cage or ice cream bucket set up.

I have read about gluing the chrysalis to boards, but unless you are raising huge quantities, I guess I wouldn't do it that way....just my opinion.