Monarch Chrysalis Still Green...

Our monarchs have been in their chrysalis for 17 days. Everything I read says 10-14 days. The chrysalis are still green. Have they died or is there still hope?

Karen says:
Cold weather, less light etc. affects the time it takes for metamorphosis of the monarch butterfly. I wouldn't give up hope.

Care for Chrysalis

by Jodi
(Indianapolis, IN, USA)

My daughter found a monarch caterpillar and put it in a small bug catcher. The caterpillar has since transformed into a Chrysalis - once it becomes a butterfly, I'm afraid it will happen when we are not home and it will be trapped in the cage - any suggestions?

Karen says:
Once the butterfly emerges, it takes a while for it to pump fluid into its shriveled wings and then for the wings to dry (a few hours). As long as it has room to open its wings and move around a bit in the bug catcher, it should be OK for a little while.

You will know when it is going to emerge, because the day before it emerges the monarch butterfly chrysalis turns black and you can see the monarch inside. Usually it is the next morning that it emerges. I hope you get to see the miracle!

Is the size of the chrysalis significant?

by H
(Minnesota)

Is the size of the chrysalis significant? We are new to the experience of capturing a caterpillar and raising a monarch butterfly. We have two chrysalis that are quite different in size. I read someplace that it is possible a wasp can emerge instead of a butterfly.

Karen says:
I have noticed a difference in size of chrysalis before also....but, I am not sure why this happens. I don't think there is a correlation with Parasitoid (wasp host) problem. Maybe it has to do with what size the caterpillar is when it pupates (because this varies quite a bit) or maybe female and males tend to be different in size. Anyone else have any thoughts or ideas on this?


Comment from Jacki Rich:
Yes, caterpillars and butterflies are different sizes. Guess they come in all sizes, like we do. lol

I have been raising Monarchs for 6 years and I see this every year. I just had 2 Chrysalis' emerge and one was significantly larger than the other, therefore the butterfly was larger.

Good luck with your new experience. It is a lot of fun.

I just released 20 Monarchs yesterday, 5 more emerged today, I have 19 eggs and 40 baby cats. It is very rewarding.

Pupation on milkweed itself

by Julie
(Plainville NY)

Do the caterpillars ever pupate right on the milkweed plants or do I need to get them to an enclosed container with a twig as soon as they reach a certain size?

Karen says:
Yes, I have had many monarch caterpillars pupate on the milkweed plant. Why not have twigs and the plant available and they can choose... or maybe they will chose the ceiling of the container.

Hatching at Night - Is This OK?

by Mary
(West st. Paul)

One of our butterflies appears to be ready to hatch. We are first time butterfly people and just put the caterpillars in a cardboard box. I am worried that if it hatches at night it may injure itself in the box. Will it be OK? One has already hatched earlier today and we released it (VERY COOOOL).

Karen says:
Hi Mary - I have never had a butterfly emerge at night. But, you might want to consider making or purchasing a butterfly cage so you can observe things a little easier and the butterfly has a little more room.