Help with emerging monarch!

[Nancyb]

Hi, it is my very first time, and as I'm sure you all know, I am obsessed with "Cam Jansen" and "Cattie", our two monarchs. Cam's chrysalis (named by my 7 yr. old!) has turned black and I am dying of excitement!! From what I have read, the best time to release is the a.m. It is now 4 pm, and assuming she will emerge tonight, do I just leave her in the 1.5 litre jar she is currently in?? Can't seem to find anything else suitable but worried about a butterfly in a jar all night.

Helllp!

[Mona Miller]

As long as she has something to hang on to she is okay, if she falls before her wings dry she will not be able to climb back up the sides of the glass. If there is enough room and it doesn't interfere with her spreading her wings (they need room to inflate their wings), lean a stick side ways for her to climb on if she falls.

[Nancyb]

So they waited til this morning, and my small girls and I actually saw them both emerge!! Within minutes of each other, even though they were a few days apart in making their chrysallis...my girls say it's because they are sisters and want to stay together.

So what sign do I look for to release them? I know I keep reading about their wings drying, but obviously do not want to touch them! They are hanging from a jar lid so will they drop from there when they are ready?? Thanks!

[texas butterfly]

Are their wings hanging down and straight?

Or crumpled looking?

Make sure they have enough space to stretch their wings so that the dry correctly.

In 2 or 3 hours their wings should be dry.

If they just came out, you can release them tomorrow morning provided the weather is good.

[Nancyb]

Thanks Texas! They look perfect, have 'tested' their wings a bit by opening, but are just hanging, guess they are drying. They look lovely!! They came out at 10 am so figure this afternoon better than leaving them for 24 hrs (it is not quite 1 pm here in Ontario) but if I unscrew the jar lid will they get freaked out? They are both just clinging to the top still, have not come down and all and how do I know if wings are dry? Thanks for advice!

[Mona Miller]

They will actually feel damp if their wings are not fully dry. Also, when they get good and dry they will drop down to the bottom of the jar and begin flexing their wings.

[maryeleek]

NancyB,

I hope you don't mind my asking in your thread but I'm in the same boat. I've never experienced fostering Monarch Caterpillars. I have two who are also getting ready to emerge. They turned black and I can barely see the markings inside their chrysalis.

Do I understand they need to remain in their container about 24 hrs before releasing them? I will put a couple of sticks in their container for them to climb on if needed (24 quart clear plastic storage box) and should I place a vase with some nectar blooms in there for them, too? Seems like they'd need something to eat within 24 hrs. I have the Mexican sunflower blooming and the butterflies love to nectar from it's flowers. I could pick a couple of those, check for insects and use it for the nectar source.

Thanks, NancyB, for asking this question. I came to the forum this morning to ask the very same thing.

Mary

[Pixie]

Mary - you can release the butterflies the same day they enclose as long as the weather is good - sunny and warm. It takes about 3 hours for their wings to dry. I release mine when they begin opening & closing their wings & start moving around their habitat. If the weather is rainy or cloudy or it is late in the day, you should until the next day. As far as feeding them, they really don't need any nourishment for the first 24 hours. Good luck.

Dottie (Pixie)
WS # 252