Sorry, I was a little panicked when I wrote that post :) The chrysalis I am worried about was hanging until I tried to move it this morning. It is very close to emerging - the chrysalis is clear and I can see the wings. I have it laying on a washcloth, thorax side up, with several sticks very close. I am hoping when it ecloses, it will crawl up the stick to hang. Black Swallowtails seem to be good at doing this, but I'm unsure about a Monarch. I've never had this happen with a Monarch, so I've only seen them hang from their empty chrysalis to dry. I don't have a glue gun, and I'm afraid to leave and go get one - what if it ecloses while I'm gone and can't get onto the stick? I keep checking on it, thinking I can gently help it to the stick after emerging if needed. When necessary to move baby cats, I use a clean soft paintbrush. I have a slightly larger one, (1/2" wide), that I think will work well to move him/her without hurting anything.

ctlady, It is up to you to watch and wait...generally, I will euthanize early by placing pupae in a plastic baggy (carefully!) and freezing. The fly that butterflyman is referring to is a Tachinid Fly and this is very common with Monarchs. Other problems that are common with Monarchs include Oe, which is a spore eaten by the caterpillar or one that is passed on genetically. Viral and bacterial infections are also prevalent, particularly late in the season, and can cause discolorations that are evident in the pupa. BTW, most butterflies do not make 'cocoons' as this term refers to a covering surrounding the pupa, sort of like a sleeping bag covering a person. On my website, Learn about Monarchs, I share information about some of the predators that you may face when raising Monarchs. When you find caterpillars in the wild, you just don't know what you are going to get so it's definitely a crapshoot! CalSherry aka tdogmom :)

The monarch usually emerges from its chrysalis in 10 to 14 days. The chrysalis will become very transparent and you can see the black and orange wings inside. That's when you know it's getting close to emerging. I have a video on my blog of one of my monarchs emerging. My Blog

I have two 5th instar Monarch caterpillars right now. They have been 5th instar for about 4 or 5 days now. Shouldn't they have already started to transform again? One came off the plant today and wandered around but then went back to it. Both are under a leaf now, not doing a whole lot, but moving every once in a while. The whole plant is in my house as the weather is marginal today & lately we have lost a few to wasps. I'm trying to come up with a way to keep them safe from wasps but keep them outside where it's a bit warmer Any thoughts? Thanks for your help!