How to Move a Monarch Chrysalis

4/11/2020

Monarchs very rarely pupate on the host plant that they hatched on. In fact, they can pupate up to 10 meters away from their original host milkweed! They look for places to pupate where they will be safe from predators and inclement weather but sometimes they don't always choose the most logical locations. Here is a list of places to look for chrysalises.

Why would I want to move a chrysalis?

1) It has fallen to the ground.

Monarch chrysalises can get dislodged by wind, rain, birds, people and several other factors! In order for a Monarch to eclose safely, the chrysalis needs to be suspended in the air. The Monarchs often cling to their empty chrysalis as they uncrumple their wings and air dry them before being able to take flight. If they do not have sufficient space ( at least 1-2 inches on all sides and 4 inches below), their wings may not develop correctly and they won't be able to fly.

2) It's in harm's way.

Have you ever found a chrysalis in a doorway, on a car tire, on a window or somewhere you know it is unsafe? You may want to relocate the chrysalis to a safer location.

Two monarch chrysalises hanging in a precarious place. Photo by Maria Realme.

3) You want to watch the metamorphosis occur.

It's okay if you want to move the chrysalis into a protected area such as a butterfly house or mesh enclosure in order to watch the beautiful process occur. Experts say that less than 10% of wild Monarchs survive outdoors due to predation. Monarchs make up for this low rate of survival by laying 300-500 eggs in their lifetimes. Watching this miracle occur is a joy for all ages and can be a wonderful educational tool for children.

How to Move a Monarch Chrysalis

Materials Needed:
- Dental Floss
- A Pin or Safety Pin
- Scissors

Step 1: Locate the Chrysalis and Make Sure It is Safe to Move

Fresh chrysalises are delicate and need time to harden before you can move them safely. Observe the chrysalis before moving it. Is it an opaque green or is it starting to turn transparent so you can see the Monarch inside?

The Monarch's pupation stage is 10-14 days and the chrysalis will harden after 1-2 days. If the chrysalis is completely transparent, revealing the black and orange butterfly within, it will begin to emerge within 24 hours. If you are unsure when pupation occured, it is best to wait a day before moving the chrysalis.

However, If you know that it is in dire danger, then move immediately with the utmost care. If a chrysalis breaks, it will ooze and the Monarch will not be able to survive this damage.

Step 2: Remove the Silk Pad

Photo by Rachel Liester.

A Monarch chrysalis within 24 hours of eclosure. Photo by Matthew Losee.

Look closely at the chrysalis and use a magnifying glass if necessary. The silk pad will be attached to the surface and the black cremaster is directly below it. Very gently, loosen the silk pad by inserted the pin where the surface and silk meet. Try not to disturb the cremaster. Carefully, wiggle the pin until the silk starts to pull away from the surface. Once there is enough slack, pull the silk off of the surface with your fingers or tweezers if needed. Cup your other hand beneath the chrysalis to protect it from falling to the ground.

Step 3: Adhere Dental Floss to the Silk Pad

Cut a piece of floss about 5 inches long or longer depending where you will be hanging it.
Tie a loose knot in center of the floss to create a small loop.
Slip the loop over the silk right above the black tip of the chrysalis (the cremaster)
Pull the knot tight but make sure it won't slip off. A double knot will make it extra secure.
If you ever encounter a chrysalis that is missing all the silk, you can use a tiny dab of super glue to adhere the knot.

Step 4: Hang the Beautiful Chrysalis

Grab the ends of the floss and tie around a branch, rod or other secure fixture that is at least 4 inches off of the ground and 1 inches of clearance on all sides. If you are using a mesh enclosure instead, use the pin to secure the knot to the top of the cage.

Step 5: Let the Butterfly Hang Out!

It takes several hours for the monarch butterfly's wings to dry properly. They may begin to flap them gently to expedite the process. Let them be and do not touch their wings at all while they are drying. This can damage the scales on them and render them unable to fly.

Congratulations!! You just successfully moved a chrysalis and may have just save their lives!

A freshly emerged Monarch with wings that have yet to straighten and dry. Photo by Matthew Losee.

67 Comments

Elizabeth Villalobos link

4/17/2020 08:08:27 pm

Hello I live in Alaska. I have a monarch butterfly which I cannot let out because there are no nectar plants this time of the yearwhich is April. How can I have it thrive until I can find a garden to release it in. I don’t see I taking any nourishment from the geranium plant I placed n the housing. I also made a mixture of pure organic honey& diluted with water a dipped in a sponge. I don’t see it taking any. Could it be that it’s feeding tube is not extending Because the deluged honey made it stiff? I really want to help it survive. Any suggestions? Thanks

Rebecca

4/18/2020 10:22:24 am

Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for your question. I would recommend trying fruit such as a sliced orange and banana. This should be able to get them through until you can find blooming flowers. It is also important to note that non-migratory monarchs (the ones that don't make it to Mexico or California) only live 2-6 weeks. Best of luck!

Shelley Butler

12/22/2021 10:10:20 am

I just now found your site. I need help for my chrysalis! I live in Southern California and despite the constant sun and drought, we are expecting rain for at least the rest of the week over the holidays. I have a fully formed chrysalis that I saved from outside and I am going to put it into a mesh cage.
What should I do if the butterfly emerges and it is raining outside? How can I keep the butterfly safe in the cage? What can I feed it with? When can I release it?
Thank you so much for any help!

Ava

9/30/2020 06:41:12 am

I have a couple of eastern swallowtail chrysalis’ in danger of being infected by a nearby plant with baculovirus. They just formed their chrysalis yesterday so i can’t move them yet. Once it’s safe, can I just cut the plant they are hanging from and move them inside? Do I have to use your method above? I want to protect them, but have near 0 experience with this type of thing.

Mike Hoeta

4/3/2021 12:07:04 am

Yes just cut enough branch to tape to another tree or whatever where it will be safe

Deloris Adams

11/26/2022 02:34:00 pm

I found a caterpillar crawling up my house but fell i see its turnikng a dark brown not moving i want to help it but afraid ill hurt it i put it under a plant what shell i do

Movers Christchurch link

10/22/2020 05:05:25 am

It’s interesting to read what other people thought about how to move a monarch chrysalis and how it relates to them or their clients, as their perspective could possibly help you in the future.

Joy Krauthammer

12/19/2020 05:39:27 pm

Hi, An hour ago I moved one of my two Monarch chrysalises formed yesterday morning, maybe 33 hours ago. Caterpillar was on a leaf on Milkweed plant in a pot, inside of a 2 feet deep mesh butterfly tent, at least 18 inches from zipper opening when it went into J shape. I slowly moved the pot a little closer to me for the surgery. Other leaves were dying and falling and I knew this would happen to the chrysalis leaf. I borrowed long straight pins with big big heads from a neighbor. I took a fig branch long enough to reach between 2 bamboo plant ladders resting inside against opposite tent sides. Moved branch against Milkweed stem, close to the leaf, and rested ends on ladder rungs. Carefully I pinched off leaf from stem moving it against branch and quickly pinned it once. (I had tested pins to make sure they could enter branch.) Then gently moved leaf into position along branch and added 2 more pins trying to keep distance so that butterfly can safely emerge with room, in maybe 2 weeks, because it is cold now outside in LA, CA. I have covered the tent each night, and uncovered it each morning to receive the sun for about 8 day hours. I did it!! And can now breathe. I also added a mesh net beneath the chrysalis, to catch it, just in case the leaf splits. I photographed the process. This has been a stressful labor of love with no prior experience, nor expectations. I watched a Monarch butterfly lay eggs on Milkweed Nov. 15th and it is now Dec. 19th, 2020. I knew that with lizards and birds at my porch, these predators would be a problem. Grateful for friend who loaned tent to me. Thank you for your blog.

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12/24/2020 06:15:11 am

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1/19/2021 06:50:28 am

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1/20/2021 01:56:54 am

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2/5/2021 12:02:08 am

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2/6/2021 07:29:40 am

Thank you very much for how to move a monarch chrysalis, it’s difficult for me to get such kind of information most of the time always… I really hope I can work on your tips and it works for me too, I am happy to come across your article.

Lia

4/12/2021 05:18:51 pm

Hello! I was raising butterflies in a kit, and one caterpillar was trying to make its chrysalis when it bumped into another chrysalis, causing it to fall. It has been on the ground for about 2 days because I didn't want to take the lid off in case some of the chrysalis weren't hardened yet. Once they harden, should I move it, or did it already die?

Ashley Barrett

4/28/2021 02:19:03 pm

I have a chrysalis that attached itself to the last remaining leaf of my milkweed plant. Can I just keep it on the leaf and pin the leaf to the top of the enclosure? Or should I follow the full instructions above?

Lucinda

9/24/2021 08:07:56 pm

The leaves on my plant do not stay firm after a day or two after I snip it off. It seems like a good I idea, I just wonder it the leaf will dry up and crumble. I had one chrysalis that I moved that still had enough of the webbing attached to it, so that I uses a straight pin through the webbing and attached it to the top of the mesh cage. I made sure the point tip of the pin was on the outside of the cage, as not to injure the butterfly. It held well.
Lucinda

Robin Haase

5/2/2021 04:39:34 am

Help. We've been raising caterpillars in a couple of terraria here in Florida for years now. They usually attach a chrysalis to the sides of the terrarium or the netting cover. If a chrysalis falls (or is in a really stupid place) we use dental floss to hang them from metal garden shelves. All of this is in a screened enclosure. Once they hatch and are dry, we release them. Lately, however, something has been eating the chrysalises at night. At first, it was three of those hanging by dental floss .... nothing but the floss was left the next morning. This morning, several of those hanging inside one of the terraria had vanished, and there were holes which appeared to be chewed threw the netting where they'd been. Any idea what could be attacking? Anoles or spiders? Snakes or squirrels? Will it hurt to cover the terraria with something heavier at night? As for the ones tied up with floss on the shelving, I'm considering moving them indoors (maybe the laundry room?) until they show signs of getting close to emergence. Any suggestions?

Tim Jones link

5/2/2021 02:16:32 pm

A mouse... Use a live trap.

Luna

8/3/2023 04:38:21 pm

We had a squirrel, also aome kinds of invasive preying mantisis will try as well. Try live traps or carefullybring inside.

Michelle

10/4/2021 11:27:32 am

I had this the same problem last summer! Tiny holes were being chewed through the mesh monarch enclosure. At first, I patched them with spare screening, but something kept coming back to make new and bigger holes, eventually eating several chrysalises and knocking others loose, killing them too!
I am 90% sure it was a opossum, after spotting one in my yard a few weeks later. Possibly could have been squirrels, but the damage was always at night. Not mice, we have an outdoor cat. But definitely rodents of some sort.
Now I raise the monarchs inside. It’s surprisingly easy, though I do think they take about a week longer to mature in the slightly cooler indoor temperatures. I don’t even use an enclosure any more. The caterpillars stay on the leaves I provide in vases. The butterflies that emerge can’t fly until their wings dry out for about a day. So I just let them climb onto my finger and release them onto a nearby flower outside to finish drying and fly away. It’s amazing to watch up close.

Brenda M Maduzia

6/24/2021 12:21:21 pm

What predators will eat/damage a monarch chrysilis?

10/4/2021 11:30:15 am

Any rodent. I especially suspect opossums if the damage is occurring at night. They eat all sorts of insects

Janette Thompson

7/5/2021 11:58:15 am

I have raised some Monarchs in a 5 gallon aquarium but this year I have one who is spinning silk on the side of the glass. Can I and should I move it before it forms the chrysalis? It's spun a fairly large circle. I'm concerned and would like to do what I can to help. I have successfully moved chrysalis before but not a cat. Please help.

7/5/2021 01:33:36 pm

I would wait until after a successful pupation. If you must you can carefully locate the silk patch to the top of an enclosure with thread allowing the monarch to eclose without hindering its drying out its wings.

7/5/2021 01:41:00 pm

Thank you so much Tim! I actually may have jumped the gun. It has worked back down into the aquarium and now back up again so will hopefully have enough silk to properly spin from the net at the top. It was like a trial run but with quite a large, but light, spin circle on the glass and I've not seen that before. This cat has been "interesting" – normal in some ways but a bit odd. Fingers crossed that it's smooth sailing from this point. Thanks again.

Renee Bell link

8/11/2021 03:26:42 pm

help, i had the plastic side down of my RestCloud enclosure thinking the mesh would be better to adhere to but a strong wind brought the chrysalis down. Should the plastic side be up? I have more cats get ready to J-hook and want this to be right. Also, I carefully used Gorilla glue to attach the chrysalis to a clothespin. It's been two hours and appears to be dry. Should I leave the chrysalis on it's side and let the glue dry longer. Thanks for your help,

Tim Jones

8/11/2021 03:48:49 pm

I suspect he green plastic end of the cage is normally the bottom.
Did the caterpillar attach to the mesh on top? That must have been an extraordinary wind to blow it off.

I would keep the chrysalis right side up and carefully prop up the clothespin with the Chrysalis under it to let the glue dry for several hours, even eight hours before I let it hang by itself.

Lenore

8/11/2021 06:02:51 pm

Am I able to transfer chrysalises flat? I raised 9 monarch caterpillars and they are now green chrysalises. We have a 6 hour drive back home (they became chrysalises while we were on vacation) can we lay them flat for the 6 hour drive then hang them again with dental floss method?

8/11/2021 06:29:37 pm

Maybe find an egg crate and put three vertically in each of three cups.
Horizontal for 6 hours... I dunno.

Karen Morgan

8/16/2021 12:29:18 pm

We are growing first milkweed and couple weeks ago found 2 monarch caterpillars. After they moved off, a couple weeks later have a chrysalis clinging to underside of milkweed leaf. Can I tie the leaf inside a mesh food cover and keep it outside to protect it from wasps. Bees and birds? Its my first and I'm worried about it.

Lucinda Palestrnat

8/29/2021 11:31:01 am

I used a mesh laundry container, then I read that the mesh on this is not tight enough, insects can get in. I have 6 chrysalis already, I set up the cage indoors. Might be safe from the bugs.
So your mesh food cover may not be ideal for a cage, small spiders, and the tiny wasps might be able to get in.
This is my first attempt. The eight chrysalises in the pop-up cage did not survive. I'm very sad. I put them in as cats, I guess there was a problem with them that I did not see. I have 7 more in the laundry container, hoping they make it.

Georgia

8/16/2021 01:20:42 pm

Hi! Thank you for all the great information here! We have over 30 chrysalis - about half attached themselves to the host milkweed leaves while the others we removed because they were eating whatever little bit of leaf was left despite handing J catterpillars or chrysalis on the leaves. We put those into a mesh net cube but overnight something attacked and we found sone catterpillars on the ground this morning. We thought they were dead but after sone time being completely still they transformed into chrysalis right there in the pot on dirt/poop/a few dry leaves. I tried moving one but it oozed out a clear green liquid. The other 2 I figure I should let to dry for a day or two before trying to hang them? They don’t seem to have any web at all spun at the top. What do I hang them by? One is on a piece of paper from a receipt I found quickly to put it on. Is either surface not good for them to be on? The pot’s earth is damp and the receipt paper has ink on it. Thank you so much for any help you can share!

10/4/2021 11:34:13 am

This guy has a very helpful video clip on solving this exact problem! Worked for me, good luck to you!

https://youtu.be/mKFq5lYgT5Q

Gracia

9/24/2021 05:01:23 pm

Hi,
This is my first time saving a monarch and I have 3 monarch chrysalis, but one of them ended up on the bottom (paper towel). I think i picked it up to soon, so some of the juices come out. do you think it will be okay?
now it is in the right position.

Thank you

9/24/2021 05:52:39 pm

I am new to this too. If it is not a healthy chrysalis it might create bacteria and harm your other ones. Or it might be ok, keep and eye on it. If it continues to leak I would discard it. I watched 14 of mine die of "black death" virus, I was heart broken. I have recently released 4. Be patient, mine took about 4-6 hours before they appeared to be strong and confident enough to fly free. One flew back into the cage, she was one my hand out ot the cage and she flew back in. I let her stay another 2 hours and she was ready. It was so beautiful to see the bright colors of a new butterfly. They look like stained glass art in flight. I have fourteen chrysalis now.

9/24/2021 07:50:58 pm

Thank you Lucinda. i will keep an eye on it, I put it separately from the others. hopefully, it will be fine. BTW, what is a good place to put them? I just put mine on a big plastic drinking jar. do I need to buy a cage? I think I am gonna continue doing it. one more question, will the milkweed plant survive during winter time? I live in Texas.
Thank you

9/24/2021 08:25:32 pm

Hello, I don't have a clear idea of what your large drinking jar looks like. I like the mesh cage, it gives them plenty of room to move around once they emerge and I fell they are protected. They are reasonably priced and easy to clean. I put a piece of thick washable shelf liner on the bottom, makes it easy to clean, the nylon bottom on the cage is not easy to wipe off. those little buggers sure to poop a lot, LOL. I clean the bottom every time I see the mess., probably 10 times a day. There are different sizes available.
I believe the plants are winter hardy., I live in the middle, I am going to bring the ones I have in pots into the garage. I had 3 swallow tail caterpillars , they are beautiful too, they were on my parsley, They devoured the plant. I left them alone.

9/26/2021 10:14:47 pm

Hi Lucinda,
One of my cocoons suddenly there was a maggot coming out of it. so, is that mean by monarch cocoons is dead? the other one that the ooze coming out last time, looks dehydrated and has a black strips on it (i wish I can give you a picture of it). so far for the 3rd one is still okay. now i am cleaning my containers and will going to by the mesh cage because they poop a lot lol.

today I found two eggs, so hopefully I can raised them better.

10/2/2021 11:46:40 am

Hi Gracia, I had two chrys. close together a couple of days ago. There were two red pupa (I think) and one white maggot on the floor of the cage. I didn't know which one it came out of so I let them be. One butterfly emerged and it looked healthy. During the time it was filling out its wings another pupa was on the floor. The butterfly did fine and I released it that day. The other one has not emerged, I have not seen any maggots. I will let you know how this one turns out.
Are you sure the black stripes on the other one is not the wing pattern showing through?
I mentioned before that someone wrote that it best not to release for 24 hours. My personal experience When mine have become strong and active in the cage and they seem stressed about being caged, all within 4-6 hours I released them. I see it this way, if it is a beautiful day, they would be happier hanging out in a tree, getting use to out of doors, they move around the tree a little getting their exercise. They have a test flight when they first get out then they go into the trees next to our house and by the woods. If they don't eat until the next day that doesn't mean they would not enjoy being out. They only live about 3 weeks, I don't want to take the first day away from them. Now there could be reasons to keep them in as far as the weather is concerned.
How is it going for you?

10/5/2021 10:37:02 pm

Hi Lucinda,
From the 2 eggs, only one that survive :( should I put it back outside and let it eat the leaves on my plant? Because I don’t have a plant that is on a pot.

The pupa that has maggot last time, I have to euthanized it by freezing it because yesterday when it’s starting to become translucent I can see on the top part clump of white thing that just look like another maggots.

The pupa that the ooze came out a little bit, now turns into a butterfly yesterday, but the wings kind of wrinkly and I don’t think it can fly yet. This one it can eat when I try to give it water mixed with honey.

The pupa that is in good condition was turned into a butterfly on Sunday, but it only have 3 legs, the other leg somehow stick together and now she is limping and cannot stand, sometimes she just lay on her side like she is dead. I gave her water mixed with honey every day, but she only does it on the first day.

What do you think I should do with these two butterflies? Should I still release it? Right now, both of them are in the same cage. The 3 legged on, can fly little bit, I notice it when it tries to fly when I fed her. The other one does not really fly yet, mostly she just hangs on top of the cage. Please let me know what to do with them because I feel bad to keep them in the cage. Thank you.

I also have 3 more pupas and hopefully they are all in good condition.

Lucinda Palestrant

10/6/2021 05:34:21 am

Cut leaves and put them on the floor of the cage. After it eats one leaf, put another fresh leaf in. Give each caterpillar it's own leaf to eat. Use fresh leaves each day.
Or put it outside
I would release both butterflies, her leg that is stuck might repairs itself if she is out moving around more. If they are flying around the cage, they will be ok out side.
Remember, if you hadn't brought them in, they would be outside flying around. I don't think they need to be kept in for 24 hours. Mine are happy to go after 5-6.

10/6/2021 07:12:01 am

Thank you so much Lucinda.
once I saw your message I just released both of them. the 3 legged one fly far but then she fall down on my neighbor's back yard. hopefully she is okay. the other one that still cannot fly high, i just put her on the top of the milkweed plant and let her eat.

cannot wait for the rest of my pupa :)

Thank you so much for helping me out. It is an amazing experience :)

10/11/2021 05:55:33 am

Hi Gracia, happy to help. There aren't any eggs getting laid here. There is a large patch of wild hydrangea next to our yard in the woods. I hope the butterflies are feeding from them. Does the milkweed plant you put the butterfly on have flowers? I noticed a couple of mine make a landing like that, they were gong for the clover flowers. So there is a good chance yours saw a flower.
I saw a photo with a chrysalis hanging on a leaf, the man taped the leaf to a board, he put two pieces of tape on the ends of the leaf, it looked sturdy enough.
I wanted to tell you, I found one of the catarpillars on the ground curled up into a tight ball. I though it was dead, I picked it up and it straightened out for a few seconds then curled back. I took it in the house and secured it in a bowl, I set a tea strainer on the bowl so it would not get out. I kept a close eye on her. She did not move from here position for two days. Then to my surprise she started the chrysalis phase. I left her there until she started to change into that lighter green color, I tied dental floss in a knot, I left 3 in" of floss. I used a food bag clip that had a magnet on it and I put her in a large stainless steel pan, I made sure the floss was tucked away so she would not get tangles in in. I left her there until she emerged which she did, After she got her wings filled out I taped the excess floss to a bamboo stick and placed her in another mesh laundry holder, (I cleaned it well) I propped the stick onto the pan I had her in, but she was not hanging over the pan only next to it and she had plenty of room all around her to move her wings. When she got off her chrysalis shell I took away the pan and stick. She did just fine. So you just never know what is going on with them sometimes. I am so glad i gave her a chance and didn't react in the wrong way when I found her on the ground all curled up. Well the season here is over for them. I miss them. LOL I am enjoying our chat. The info you have shared has helped me also.

Mary Grace Hansen

10/11/2021 05:46:17 pm

I'm in Nebraska have 2 crysilliius on the soffit they are not going to make it. I can bring them in BUT what to feed. Help

Cynthia

10/12/2021 03:42:20 am

On Oct 3 we cut the blades of tall grass where 4 Monarchs had decided to pupate. The grass is mixed in with milkweed in an area in Wyoming. We carefully spanned the grass blades across a 'jungle gym' in a shoe box and brought the chrysalis to Nevada out of fear they would not survive the Wyoming weather this week. They are now hanging in a plant room where I taped the ends of the grass blades to other plants. There are geraniums and pineapple sage blooming in the plant room. I also do not know what the Monarchs will like when they emerge so I picked some flowers from outside and put in a vase of water in the plant room. Out of an abundance of caution, I also bought a bouquet of flowers from a local grocery store. I will set them free when they are fluttering around in the plant room. I consider the Monarchs my proxy to basque in the warmth of Mexico this winter since I can't!!

10/13/2021 12:00:25 pm

Hi Mary Grace, Your weather there is fine for them. Temp. is not below 50 is it? Why do you think they won't make it?
You can let them stay in, if they emerge indoors for about 4-6 hours, then you can release them. They don't eat for about 24 hrs. after they emerge, is what I have read on the internet. After I released mine i watched for for a few hours and they did not go to the flowers to feed. The next day I did see them on flowers. Butterfies don't have a mouth to chew leaves with. They have a straw that uncurles when they want to get nectar from a flower. They will search on their own to find the flowers. If you don't release them you should search the internet to find out what to feed the butterfly there is info out there. Good luck.

10/13/2021 05:24:23 pm

The chrysalis is inside the house it does not have the silk pad I have salty pin through the top of the cryssallis on one side hanging in a plastic small animal box. He is alive. Suggestions?

10/14/2021 11:43:59 am

Is the little back stem sticking out of the top, you could have tied dental floss or thread securely around it and hang the chrys. A pin through the chrys. sounds bad to me, there doesn't seem to be extra space inside the chrys., but let us know if she comes out alive and well. I wrote what I did with one. You can read it.

12/22/2021 10:16:28 am

Hi Rebecca, I think I replied in the wrong place. I just now found your site. I need help with a chrysalis. IO may be repeating myself, but in case you don't see my other comment, I have a chrysalis that I saved from outside. I am going to put it into a mesh cage. It is expected to rain here in Southern California for the rest of the week and it is cold.
What can I do to care for the butterfly if it emerges while in the cage and I can't release it because of the rain? What do I feed it? How do I care for it and for how long? Thank you so much for an answer.

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4/11/2022 07:10:02 pm

Well, this post is quite good! Thanks for updating information about the subject.. Very useful for me.

Pamela

4/19/2022 10:35:25 pm

Wow - thank you so much for this helpful post on how to move a chrysalis. I'm harboring 10 caterpillars in a mesh laundry basket. It's rather clunky so I've ordered a large formal butterfly mesh terrarium. When it arrives, I'll have to move at least two chrysalis', maybe four!

Jo Ann Wilkinson

6/2/2022 11:11:44 am

I just rescued a chrysalis from my front door. When I went to tie a thread, the stem snapped
Tried to glue it to thread with super glue, wouldn't be hold
Last I tried Elmer's glue and it worked.
Now hanging in my screen cage.
Do you think the glue will harm it?

Mary grace

6/2/2022 02:14:32 pm

Awesome

Angela

10/17/2022 07:26:54 pm

We have three monarch cocoons hanging on plants, day #2. Is it a good idea to find someone driving south and ask them to drive the cocoons south? It’s Minnesota in mid October and a cold spell coming soon.

Marion

11/24/2022 11:37:56 am

Here is another site where you will get a reply fairly quickly
.Butterfly FAQ: How to move a Monarch butterfly chrysalis – Texas Butterfly Ranch
I had a similar issue. I wonder if it might be a good idea to mail the chrysalises to Texas, carefully packed, now, though they should be protected from freezing, perhaps.
One of my chrysalises hatched inside, it had never been exposed to freezing temps. It unfortunately had OE, or something, and its wings never developed. I brought both in on Nov. 18. The OE one developed quickly and enclosed on Tuesday, Nov. 22. The second one, the one that was outdoors in frosty weather, though covered with a double layered baggie, is showing wings now.
There is a lot of videos on youtube.
But, if you need to talk to someone ASAP, The TexasButterflyRanch.com has a live forum.
Best,
Marion,

alan

3/20/2023 05:26:54 pm

Can a chrysalis survive a long time - like through a mild winter?

3/20/2023 05:56:42 pm

I don't know. With their timeline for the Chrysalis to become a butterfly it seems unlikely that it would survive. Someone else on the site might have a better answer.

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3/24/2023 01:52:44 pm

Thank you so much to writing this wonderful blog. It’s really worthwhile.

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5/24/2023 01:02:19 pm

Very interesting and informative blog !

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6/29/2023 11:05:14 am

"Thank you very much for this wonderful topic!

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Norah G Cross

7/26/2023 09:36:27 am

How do I safely move two monarch chrysalis to indoors? The temperature is going to be getting close to 100° F this week in MA.
Or should I leave them? They are 2 days old and are attached to very tall ornamental grasses.

8/3/2023 04:53:17 pm

Id suggest cutting the grass and securely taping the grass in a position where they are hanging, but with plenty of room for them. Otherwise, use the strategy in the article

Shelley

8/3/2023 04:57:14 pm

Norah, where I live in Southern California, it has been 100 degrees or more for weeks now. My milkweed is in a garden that gets lots of sun and for a large part of the day, it can’t be shaded. Everyone seems okay and I water carefully I think it’s okay if you leave them in the ornamental grass, but you could bring them in just attached to the blade of grass if possible. I’m not familiar with what ornamental grasses look like. Hope this helps! I am not the expert here at all, but I know what it’s been like to have day after day of 100+.

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8/16/2023 10:25:09 am

"Excellent blog post, keep up the great work
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Nancy L Sullivan

9/4/2023 10:53:21 am

I purchased a monach mesh tent and moved 5 cats to the tent. The tent is on my screened back porch. Yesterday 2 cats moved to the top of the enclosure along the edge and started doing the J thing. I thought that this morning I would have 2 green pupas. Nothing! Then I noticed two small holes in the mesh near to where they would have been hanging. Looks like a mouse? got to them. I do have a hole in one of my porch screens. Drats!! Now I am not sure what to do as 2 more cats are about to change. I will try to cover the hole in the screen and also get some mouse traps. Advice?

Matt Steurer

9/13/2023 04:25:42 pm

We raise caterpillars in 1lb deli containers. They hang from the lids so work them loose, tie them to metal hooks and hang them on a rod in a screened box. When they start to show color we move them to a mesh box. We have moved the chrysalis within a few hours of forming with no major issues.

You can see how we do it in the Facebook group GIbson County Monarchs.

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9/28/2023 09:30:15 am

"Thanks for sharing this interesting blog here
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How to Move a Monarch Chrysalis

Why would I want to move a chrysalis?

1) It has fallen to the ground.

2) It's in harm's way.

3) You want to watch the metamorphosis occur.

How to Move a Monarch Chrysalis

Step 1: Locate the Chrysalis and Make Sure It is Safe to Move

Step 2: Remove the Silk Pad

Step 3: Adhere Dental Floss to the Silk Pad

Step 4: Hang the Beautiful Chrysalis

Step 5: Let the Butterfly Hang Out!

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