Easiest thing I've found to reattach a fallen chrysalis of any species is to take a low temp glue gun and just spot glue them onto a stick, paper towel, or a metal grid (which I use) Also if you need to move a chrysalis from an awkward location, take a small paintbrush (hobby style works fine) and completely soak the area around where the chrysalis is attached. This will soften up the silk pad that the chrysalis is attached to. Then using a straight pin (or in my case a small dentist's tool) lift the silk pad that the chrysalis is attached to and place with a spot of glue in a better location.

KC, I was disappointed, too, when the zoo changed their Butterfly exhibit to the Birds and the Bees exhibit 3-4 years ago. Hope for it to come back soon. But it's a wonderful zoo--I'm sure I'll find something. Terrene, I'm not sure what the black one is, or whether the one could actually be two different butterflies. Was wondering if one could be a Pipevine Swallowtail or Tiger Swallowtail (dark form)? After looking at a field guide I think I was wrong about it being a Black Swallowtail--no prominent white spots. New to this.

I think you will be fine to leave them outside - what's the warmest it gets during the winter? I think your area is super cold? I live in St. Louis MO. I used to put the cage I had mine in outside, either on my screened in porch or in the garage. They'd be outside for the winter in nature, so it's not like the cold was going to kill them. The past few years I've had to change to the refrigerator, because our winters are unpredictable anymore. We randomly get a few warm days, up to 70 degree (21c) in the dead of winter, and I've had them eclose :( Then they die because the normal winter temps resume, and there are no flowers for them anyway. If anyone ends up putting theirs in the fridge: Refrigerators are designed to have very low humidity, which will desiccate the chrysalis. Keep them in a container in the veggie drawer and give them a quick water dip occasionally. Even with your best efforts, some of them will not make it in my experience. I don't take them out of the fridge until mid spring when flowers are blooming and any chance of a hard freeze has passed.

Janet, congrats on the swallowtail cats. I don't have a clue why the little one isn't growing. Mine double in size daily. I thought maybe you might not have the right larval plant for it but if you have 2 other cats that are doing well, that can't be the problem. Hopefully someone else will have the answer.