Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: My BST's don't want to eclose, how do I know if they're okay, 1 by catbird8

catbird8 wrote:
I have to say that one of the really great spiritual experiences of mine and Catbird's life was the first time we released a Monarch - with the trite comment "fly, be free" - what a truly memorable time. We have released hundreds since. Plus Giants ST's, Spicebush ST's, Blacks, Gulf frits, etc. It is still a thrill everytime. We have a saying though, "you can count on Monarchs, but the Swallowtails are dumb as dirt". I can set an alarm to ring when the Monarch will be ready to emerge - hell, you can time it from egg layed to first flight, and won't be off over a few hours either way. With ST's - you just never know. Watch the chrysalis for color change. When you can see the spots on the wings they are only hours away. At this time we have 2 Eastern BST's in chrysalis, 2 in 2nd instar (enstar?) and 2 Monarchs between cat and chrysalis. Released 2 Monarchs today. The color of the E. BST chrysalis can change with the plant they are feeding on and the material where they go into the chrysalis stage. No consistency.

I have been a Christian for many decades. But raising butterflies has made my belief even stronger. The little computer chips in those eggs that pass on all those instruction - awesome! Totally by Grand Design.

One of today's new babies attached - female Monarch.

Rod (mate of 8)