...to think your chrysalis are not going to eclose?
and, why would this happen (that they do not emerge?)
How long is TOO long...
I've had chrysalids over-winter for close to six months...and we don't even get a "winter" here in south Texas!!!
I've read some species can remain in a chryalis stage for several years...it takes the right temperature and several bouts of rain for them to emerge.
~ Cat
These are Black Eastern Swallowtails. All of my others from this "litter" emerged in about 10 days. It has been just over 14 days now, and some of them look a bit "shrinky", even though they are all in the same location as the others that emerged.....95% humidity, 80-95 degrees, Florida, out of the direct sun...
Sometimes the caterpillar (even as an egg) was parisitized and it will still pupate - but later on a wasp will emerge. You might want to separate the chrysalids you think are bad - just in case.
Elsewise, you'll just have to keep checking on the each day - or if you don't want to do that - you can just leave the cage door open or use a twist tie to attach the twig the chrysalis is on onto a tree in your yard and let nature run it's course.
~ Cat
I had a Zebra Swallowtail that just emerged and had been in there since March. I've also had some that overwintered into the next year - thirteen months total! As long as they're not black (in a bad way) or they don't smell funny, they're usually okay.
Melanie