Chrysalis problem - only a few days old

[skinnyhoops]

Hey my first post! woo hoo!

I really like this website and forum. A couple weeks ago I released my first Monarch, which was a female. I'm using the Butterfly Garden enclosure to hold the chrysalis until they eclose. Right now I have so many caterpillars and a few eggs awaiting to hatch. I also have 4 chrysalis in progress...

Here's my question, 1 of the 4 chrysalis looks like it's dead. It is only 1 or 2 days old, yet it's already turning dark. The other 3 chrysalis are still have normal color at this stage. When the chrysalis turns prematurely dark, is this some type of bacteria infection? Again it's only a few days old so I know it's not even close to eclosing. I'm hoping the experience from other members here can answer this question for me. If I need to dispose of this potentially infected chrysalis, please advise me asap. Right now it's in a seperate container away from the other chrysalis. Is it worth keeping?

[Mona Miller]

If it is hot where you have them, you didn't say where/how you were rearing them then it can eclose (emerge) in 4 days.

You are doing great. You have isolated the pupa (chrysalis), which may be infected. Usually when they are infected, they color on part of the chrysalis, but not the whole thing. This can be bacteria or it can be OE.

http://www.monarchparasites.org/
Click on the Monarch Parasites and What is OE?

When I determine that something may be sick, I freeze the caterpillar, larvae, adult. It may still be alive, this kills it pretty fast. Take a ziplock bag and put it into the freezer. Hide it from your spouse.

Where are you located? Here in Herndon, VA--no Monarchs at all.

[skinnyhoops]

Hey mona! thanks for the advice. wow just 4 days? These guys develop really fast I've noticed. Oh btw, I live in central Florida. It's been HOT HOT down here, but I do keep the caterpillars indoors where it's cooler. I've been rearing them in plastic jars, giving them fresh leaves everyday. Once they form a chrysalis on the lid, I remove the lid and put the chrysalis (including lid it's attached to) in the Butterfly Garden enclosure to await eclosing.

I may take your advice on freezing it but I might wait another day. Decisions decisions. Since I'm a single father, I don't have to worry about a spouse yelling at me for bugs in the freezer or jars of caterpillars on the table. haha. My 6 year old son likes helping me care for the caterpillars and he helped me release our first Monarch butterfly.

Oh and I learned my lesson about handling milkweed. Always wash my hands afterwards now. Man a few nights ago my eyes were BURNING. lol apparently the milky sap can cause eye irritation.

Sorry about the lack of Monarchs in your area though. Is this unusual where you live? So far we've had a consistant supply of eggs and small cats in our garden. I check the milkweeds in our garden for new babies then harvest them off so spiders/wasps/lizards don't eat them. Right now I have about 14 small cats and 2 eggs. From what I hear, in Florida we have whats called a "sink population" of Monarchs meaning they don't migrate out of Florida. The more I read about them, the more interested I get. I think I found a new hobby!

[Mona Miller]

It's pretty addicting, but very rewarding.

http://www.learnaboutmonarchs.com/
This website has some great information and photos--enjoy.