I have had this happen several times... sometimes the Monarchs emerge and sometimes they don't. I don't think the liquid is necessarily indicative of a problem. I've had Monarchs roll around, thrashing about with that green liquid pretty much creating what we came to call the "green blood bath." SOme of those same cats emerged as beautiful butterflies. On the other hand, some of the most perfect chrysalids never emerge. Nature is tricky that way. I finally learned not to take it personally, but I can't tell you how hard it was the first time I had to freeze one that was obviously NOT going to make it. I hope all works well.

Thanks Rob, I am not going to bother it. There are two more chrysalis nearby, and I would rather not move them around too much. Thanks again--Betty

Tdogmom...when the Monarchs get to last instar they eat like there's no tomorrow...as if you didn't know! Around 7 or 8 PM I bring in a big handful of leaves and think it will hold them til morning. Luckily I wake up a couple times during the night so I find them just sitting on the sticks waiting for "more, please"...LOL. So I turn on the back porch lights and traipse out there with the flashlight, pick more leaves, wash them and put them in cleaned out container. Some nights I'm smarter or just in better "memory state" and keep a stalk in water in fridge so I don't have to make the night run to the garden but never seem to have enough for the big guys...and the little ones seem to zoom in milkweed consumption after 4th instar. If I had more than the 9 Monarchs I'd raise them differently with a potted plant so they'd have more room to roam and be in a more natural setting. Didn't want to take the chance with these 9 since they were all different sizes and worried about cannibalization so kept them segregated. Geez...sounds like I'm running a boot camp for delinquent Monarch cats...LOL.

I don't think it is viable. It doesn't look good, and all of my monarchs have emerged from the bottom, so the break at the top worries me.