Not a stupid question. Different people have different opinions on the "sealed" container. If you raise your caterpillar outside in 90 degree heat, then yes, it will need the air circulation. However, I don't raise mine outside. I don't have as much control over ants and other pests. I find it is easier to raise them inside. I also get to enjoy them more inside. There are lots of different ways to raise caterpillars and each has its advantages. Almost all "professional" facilities (think universities and commercial butterfly farms) raise their caterpillars in containers (from petri dishes to large storage containers), inside climate controlled rooms. This is to prevent predators, parasites, and disease. This is not to say some don't raise them outside, but the only time I have seen it is when they are raising hairstreaks that require ants for their lifecycle. Anyway, I find small Tupperware to be the best. It is cheap, see through, and I don't worry that I will lose any. I also love deli and bakery containers. I get them free (well, with the price of a salad, etc.). If I have enough, I don't need to bleach them after use, I just toss them in the recycle container and use a new one. So, disease is not an issue. They only other method I really like is using a sleeve on a tree. There are a lot of discussions on that method if you do a search of this board. However, even with that method, you run the risk of trapping a spider in with your caterpillars or having a bird figure out how to tear it apart (right KC?). I once did this method and didn't realize that I left a small opening where you tie the sleeve to the top part of the branch. Just big enough for one caterpillar at a time to go out, and out they did. What was funny was when I discovered it, I found a large jumping spider sitting just up the branch. It was is if was saying to itself "what a cool new automat!" Feel free to keep asking questions. I still do and we all learn a lot. Elisabeth

Congratulations Angie! You have made it through phase II :). Now on the the next phase. You will need to create a way for them to eclose. Obviously the Tupperware is too small for them to stretch out their wings. Zebras need a lot of space for those gorgeous tails. You have a couple options. After at least 24 hours (maybe wait 48 to be safe) the chrysalides should be hard enough to handle. You can either attach the lid to the top of another container, or you can remove the chrysalides from the lid. Either way is fine. I usually remove them but I understand if this is too nerve wracking for you. If you decide to remove them from the lid, remember that you have to cut the harness (the two silk threads that emerge from the sides of the chrysalis) from the lid. Then I pull the silk pad off with a pin. You can then either attach the chrysalis to the top of a new bigger flight cage by the silk pad or, yes, you can hot glue (really warm glue) the chrysalis to the top. I have hot glued many a chrysalis and it is fine. You just have to make sure it is not too hot and you glue the right side (so when you remove it, note which side is facing down and which side is facing the lid. There are lots of other methods people have used to re-attach chrysalides. Remember that if you go to a butterfly exhibit, almost all of those butterflies were removed from a container as a pupa at some butterfly farm, and then hot glued to a eclosion cage at the butterfly exhibit. In any event, if you are not comfortable with this method, just tape the container lid to the top of another cage that is big enough to allow the wings to stretch. Make sure there is something the butterfly can crawl up if it falls off the pupa case. You can also just rest the chrysalis on the floor of the container as long as it can crawl up. This is not my favorite method as they have to drag their wings across stuff. I have had one large moth tear its wing this way. However, I have also had one zebra appear in a paper waste basket. Apparently, when I was cleaning Tupperware, I threw away a chrysalis (don't ask me how. apparently I cannot count to save my life). It was huge and perfect. So you never know. I don't remember how long it takes for them to eclose. I think it is like most of the swallowtails and depends on temperature. I think around two to three weeks. Good luck, Elisabeth

Hint of yellow and a bit of give to the feel. See link to a good photo below. Of course you can always pick them earlier than that and let them finish ripening indoors. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Pic of GZ

Sorry about my March comments, I was having computer problems. I am far from an expert, but it sounds to me like you may have overwatered and rotted the roots. I keep mine in a large terra cotta pot saucer with more zebras and other types of small succulents planted about an inch apart. When they get more crowded, I separate them. They sit on a coffee table in front of a love seat in a south window with large diciduous trees 20' away from the house. They get a lot of light, NOT direct sun. When I have a new zebra C. I ring it with ice cubes weekly for a month then switch to icing only once every 3 - 4 weeks. I have never had a zebra die. I use this icing method on all my smaller succulents and indoor orchids. They are such a joy. Good luck.