My swallowtail cat hooked himself by threads onto his stick yesterday in preparation for forming his chrysalis. I brought him inside from the storm about then. I kept the jar in curious to see the chrysalis emerge, but nothing has happened since then, except that the caterpillar seemed to grow smaller. I put his glass jar back outside this morning because I was concerned that maybe bringing him inside disturbed his chrysalis formation at a delicate moment, and maybe he would be better off outside.
How long does it usually take them to shed that last skin and become a chrysalis? I'm concerned that disturbing him right there did something to disrupt the process and kill him. :-(
Please Don't Squish Me !! Monarch Watch 2013
Catmint. hope others will chime in too. Mine seemed to hang out for a good day or so on their sticks. And yes, they do decrease in size I think because they empty their guts (Green juice, not just frass) Yours is well secured and will shed today or tomorrow I expect. Cold will slow it down. You are not putting it in jeopardy by carefully moving it back inside where it is cool but warmer...the process has already been 'triggered' to form a chrysalis. A day or so after forming the chrysalis put it back out side so it will stay inside chrysalis until eclosure in Spring when the cycle can begin again.
There are some great videos of this!
thanks, Coleup! I'm glad to know the process takes a while and I haven't harmed it at all!
Just for clarity, the wriggling out of the old skin part goes fast and is easy to miss!
He just shed his skin! Now he is a light yellow green but is excreting another darker green coat over the chrysalis. Very fascinating to watch!
I can see why it would be hard to find the chrysalis in the garden-- its coloring really allows it to blend in.
This message was edited Oct 8, 2013 12:24 PM
In the last two days 3 of the Monarchs have eclosed! 3 more ready any minute!
Phew, what a responsibility and extreemly joyful experience to witness.
Hoping for a break in the weather so can release them tomorrow.
Am attempting to get them to nectar on some fresh blooms and a piece of watermelon.
So exciting, Coleup! Post some photos when you have time!
I've been wondering about the weather with my swallowtail chrysalis. It's indoors right now, but would this cause it to eclose at a time when outdoor conditions might not be good for it? Is it better outdoors so it can go into dormancy for the winter, given the current temps?
If it ecloses now it will likely not find a mate. Me thinks best to put outdoors so it will eclose in Spring. If however, you have a number of BST adults still flying around you could chance it finding a mate and laying eggs to over winter. As I said, all the ones I still have are in their winter pupas, so that's what I am going by.
I doubt that I will be able to get pictures. Another Monach has just eclosed while I was responding to a Dmail!
FIVE!
SIX!!!
oh, wow, that must be quite an amazing thing to experience, Coleup!!
Cool beans!!!!
six wee released yesterday a couple of feet from where they first hatched out, the last three have just eclosed and will be launched tomorrow, they all seem perfect
Woohoo!! Happy dance!!!
Started this thread with a picture of Mama Monarch who laid the eggs that grew up to be these beautiful babies
and
beautiful!!
How COOL!!!!
wonderful experience for you Judy!
I thought this thread might enjoy this e-mail I received today.
Check out this latest edition of Plants Are Cool Too: Desert Blooms and Marathon Moths
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IPQTs0cfqw
...featuring the awesome and important research being done by Dr.Krissa Skogan of the Chicago Botanic Garden on hawkmoth pollination in the evening primrose family. See how to "milk" fragrance from a flower and how to collect pollen from a hawkmoth's "tongue."
“Plants Are Cool Too” is the web series acknowledging that animals are pretty interesting - but plants are cool, too! Created and hosted by Dr. Chris Martine of Bucknell University, the series is co-sponsored by the Botanical Society of America.
http://www.youtube.com/user/PlantsAreCoolToo