Hi Bev, the chrysalis will eclose in about 10-14 days. IF it's healthy and hasn't been parasitized, or perhaps found by a predator and eaten, or some other hazards that could befall the chrysalis. However, it's already beaten enormous odds to make it to this stage (as you've noticed - lots little cats, not many make it to pupate). Perhaps next year you can help them along and bring some in to raise? :-D Monarchs are a tropical species. They can't overwinter in a temperate climate. They can't even fly below approx. 50 degrees F (10 C). In North America, there are 2 primary over-wintering locations - along the coast of California, and some fir forests in the mountains of central Mexico, where they are occasionally exposed to harsh weather, but many still manage to survive. Black Swallowtails, on the other hand, ARE a temperate species, and many of the chrysalises that I have in my tank right now will probably over-winter with me (in the garage) and eclose next Spring. Amazing that they can survive snow, ice, and freezing temps outside! (PS. We are pretty smart on this forum, but the real knowledge about b-flies is on the Butterfly forum! :)

Y'all are so sweet. My goodness and what cool photos! I love putting old stuff in my garden. Its a container garden in a little fenced in courtyard. I have old tarnished silver oval platters hung on the wall like mirrors, and I buy old salt and pepper shakers for cheap at antique or thrift stores or on vacation and put a wooden skewer with a paint chip stapled to it in one of the holes and use them as plant markers (Go Sharpie!). They're nifty and some can become pretty cool little garden statues with a purpose. And they're two for one technically! Plus they're cuter than plastic sticks and gives you something to do with all those pretty, colorful (and often waterproof) paint chips you have leftover from that one project. I think putting different items in your garden or among your plants is kind of like jewelry for your garden. Gives it character and makes it fun to look at while you're waiting patiently (or not so patiently...)for the seedlings to really fill in and become plants. Like the post Marcia! Thanks, Sarah

Glad you figured it all out. And I'm going to share my "computer peace of mind" with you... I am HORRIBLE about backing things up to an external drive or discs. So I decided to pay Carbonite to do it for me. That way I'll never REALLY lose important stuff (like pictures)...and it is stored in some remote site--so I'm covered if the house burns down. I think there are several services that do that sort of thing. It's not inexpensive...but it is worth it to me. Also--I have gmail and save my bookmarks to google as WELL as to my hard-drive.

I debated my hole in the wall project for quite awhile and possible load bearing problems. I cut the hole stud to stud and we will frame it in with 2 x 10 planks. Cross your fingers I don't get big cracks in the wall! I don't know if I scare my husband when I use power tools, but he always jumps right into a project after I make the initial mess. LOL I agree, sheetrock dust is a pain. I put all the plants in the shower last night and yesterday Digger complained it was in her oatmeal. My biggest problem though is deciding whether to fish the plyers out from between the wall (through all the electrical wiring) or just let it be. Hubby is all for fishing with a wire. My vote is to just buy another pair. Holly is tough to get a picture of in the house....unless she is sleeping. She likes to run and play. I will get a waddle picture someday though. Lori