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Butterfly Garden

last GST chrysalis, looks like it is about to eclose!! Too early!

14 years ago

Well, i moved the last GST chrysalis that i had outdoors right after Christmas, in order to prevent it from eclosing too early, during cold weather. But, apparently, it is about to eclose anyway, and it is still in the 40's - 50's. Saturday was beautiful, mid 70's and sunny and clear, i wonder if this weather could have been what caused it to start process of eclosing?? I am hoping that i am wrong, but i can see the dark stripe of black through the chrysalis and the whole chrysalis is turning darker, like all the others did right before the butterflies eclosed. Just wondering if there is anything I can do to "stop" it now, like, put it in the refrigerator or is it even possible to stop the process once they start to turn dark and get close to eclosing, maybe this one knows something I do not and maybe there are a few days or more of ideal weather coming this way, i sure hope so, thanks!

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Comments (3)

love_savannah
14 years ago
Sometimes you just have to let nature decide what's best.

I could never predict when my GSTs were about to eclose. I'd usually just wake up to a surprise or 2 in the early morning. The Monarchs are a lot easier in that respect.

You've done your best and that's all you can do. I hope he holds on a little bit longer.

Good luck!

Bon
ams2009
Original Author
14 years ago
Actually, it looks like he/she decided to hold out, if that is possible, i can still see the black stripe through the chrysalis, but it doesn't appear to be getting anymore transparent, we had a little snow night before last, maybe that is what changed his mind! But, yes, they are totally unpredictable, and the only species i have ever raised, which came about by accident, lol. I was thinking about Monarchs, and how I would like to raise them, not sure what the correct hostplant (i know milkweed) species would be for my area, like what type of milkweed would do well in this climate, and do not know if we even get many Monarchs here in my area, i do believe I have seen a a few though. I have read a lot of posts on here about Monarchs and OE, and would be worried because I don't know if I could handle any of them being sickly, it would break my heart. thanks!
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What can I expect if my guys pupated too soon? What kinds of problems will happen? I ask that, because I am wondering why these two fellows seem to be frozen in ready-to-eclose mode. I am assuming they are dead. I am just wondering if this might have been caused by early pupation. I had a mass pupation approx 12 days ago. It was spooky - everyone went at the same time, like a zombie movie. They all had lots of food available at the time they pupated. But they were not the size I would expect for a mature caterpillar to pupate. I have two guys that are just hanging there. We are still in the 10-14 day range. In the past when I have had successful ecloses, they go transparent and the monarch emerges 1-2 days later. These guys turned transparent maybe 4 days ago. I can see the monarch inside. There is absolutely no odor. I thought the Black Death made them smelly. One, however, has a very dry chrysalis. No black dots. Both of them are in isolation. I will give them another day or so, because anecdotally, folks here have said sometimes they will take their time, especially if the weather has been weird. (It has been weird, but they've been inside....) I was just wondering that their apparent demise was the result of their early pupation, rather than a pathology like OE or the Black Death. Regardless of the reason, I am planning to perform the vigorous sterilization that you have recommended.
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the chrysalis is formed, his little head capsule popped off, what a cool thing to see!! I can't wait to see him/her emerge, I hope it doesn't decide to wait all winter, lol, I'm thinking it is so hot here(still in 90's most days) that he will go ahead and come out few weeks! I hope I am here to take pics when he/she does decide to emerge!!!
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love_savannah
14 years ago
I don't know what area of the country you're in but I'm sure you probably have a few native milkweeds. As for me, I planted Mexican Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica: Tropical Milkweed, Mexican Milkweed, Bloodflower) because it was the only kind the nursery had for sale. It makes plenty of seeds, so you can keep adding to your plants.

I started out with the GSTs by accident. While reading info about raising them, I got hooked on the Monarchs. I absolutely love raising the Monarchs! It's just the most amazing thing to watch. Our Monarchs don't arrive in our yard until late August.

What are you raising your GSTs on? I'd sure like to have another host plant for them. They really do some munching on our small orange and lemon trees.

I'm glad your GST is holding out. Snow and butterflies aren't a good mix. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Bon

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