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Butterfly Garden

Where do Monarchs go to form their chrysalis?

16 years ago

I had 5 Monarch caterpillars. They were doing well. I did move 3 from the front when they denuded the milkweed there to the back where I had more milkweed. I believe the all became large enough to become butterflies. Where do they normally go to form their chrysalis? I'd like to see if I can find them. The milkweed is in my butterfly garden among butterfly bushes and other flowers.

I've seen many GF chrysalis on my front porch, but I've never seen a Monarch one.

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Comments (3)

susanlynne48
16 years ago
Boy that's a tough one, Buford. I found one on a tall dead stick right beside the milkweed in my front yard. But, they can travel a good distance from the host plant. I've found them on ornamental grass leaves, on the wheelbarrow, on other plant stems, on the porch, you name it. Good luck finding them!

Susan
buford
Original Author
16 years ago
I probably don't have a hope in heck then, since the area has a lot of growth. I'll keep my eyes open though. I've seen pictures so I know what to look for.
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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.
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Jean: I can't measure the Monarchs as they all JUST eclosed pre-dawn -- 8 new butterflies are drying their wings as I type. :) The Queen chrysalises pictured above are in the same enclosure, so I don't want to disturb the newly emerged Monarchs. However, the length/size of my final Queen chrysalis (formed yesterday) is typical of the others, IIRC; and it's measuring just shy of 3/4" (excluding the cremaster): HTH Later today, after the Monarchs have taken flight, I'm happy to measure whatever Monarch chrysalises might be left, just to compare.
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butterflutter
16 years ago
Let's see now----I've had them on piles of old brick,under the leaves of zinnia's and penta's, on the milkweed stem itself and of course in captivity on the screen that was at the top of the container. The only thing I can tell you is that they are great little disguisers so just make sure you check any and all weeds and dead flowers before you pull them up. Also, you may want to keep this in mind for the butters like the BS that overwinter as we have one right now attached to the brick on the side of my mom's house that has been there since early spring and one in the back of her pickup that is also overwintering. I've never knowlingly pulled up a plant with one on it and hope I never do but I do check them each time I am weeding. I have the most luck spotting the monarchs when the sun is shining brightly as i can see the gold ring better. Butterflutter

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?what to do with this little guy?

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