Help?!

[lola]

I'm a newbie and was wondering, why wont my cat eat??? It hasnt moved for about 2 days. I read about molting, but it says 24 hours not 48! I'm starting to panic as this is my first cat ever.

[Mona Miller]

You said you got it off Honeyvine. Are you feeding it Honeyvine?

[lola]

Yes i am.At first i wasnt,but now i am. Also this late last night it started to hang in a j. How long till it turns into a chrysalis?

[Mona Miller]

Within 24 hours, usually less, but it depends on your inside temps. Do not put it into direct light.

They usually shed their skin (pupate) in the early morning between 8-9 AM.

[lola]

Oh, okay. Its still in a j and its about 1:00 P.M. It moves when I lightly touch it (I often get worried its dead). Thanks for the help. How do I know when its going to shed its skin? Its just been hanging in a j so far...

[Mona Miller]

Best not to touch it or move the container.

http://www.butterflyfunfacts.com/rearingpupation.php
Scroll down. There's a good picture. They get kind of straight and the antenna get wrinkled. They appear to be taking in air. I think this is to split the outer skin.

http://clayruth.com/monarch.html
Clay Ruth's Butterfly Page.

http://clayruth.com/Content/Pupation.wmv

http://clayruth.com/Content/Emerging.wmv
An adult butterfly emerging.

[lola]

It didnt lay down a very good silk button. Im afraid it will fall. If it falls will it die?

[Mona Miller]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=781&p=8055&hilit=caterpillar%2C+falling#p4074
You can do searchs on the forum, top right. I put in "caterpillar, falling" and found the above.

If you think it may fall, then if possible put some papertowel (for a soft landing) and on top that put some wax paper (so it doesn't stick to the papertowel) under it (on the bottom of the container).

[lola]

It fell!!!! what do i do!!!!(its a pupa)

[lola]

Wait!! it attached to a shirt that was underneath it. can i prop up the shirt so that it hangs?????!!!!!

[lola]

Just to know in the future. Should a chrysalis stay green then turn black? How long till i have a butterfly? If so,when should the chrysalis turn black? How do i know if a chrysalis is going to die,or is dead? Please answer. Im sorry i ask so many questions. I cant seem to find much on the internet.

[Mona Miller]

http://monarchwatch.org/forums/viewtopi ... ling#p4074
I looked this up for you, did you read it. It explains what to do if a caterpillar or pupa falls.

Depending on the temperature, it will take 10-14 days for the pupae to eclose (emerge).

Once it turns dark, it is usually less than 24 hours before it emerges, but can take longer. You should be able to see the orange wings.

http://www.butterflyfunfacts.com/monarch.php
Look at the pictures, they go from egg to emerging.

[lola]

Thanks for all the help. I hope i get a butterfly in 10-14 days!

[Mona Miller]

Me, too!

[lola]

my site: https://sites.google.com/site/nphotonature/

[allaflutter}i{]

I was holding my breath as I was scrollling down about your caterpillar, then J, and then fallen chrysalis. High drama in the Monarch world! Did it ever emerge?

[lola]

Yes it emerged as a perfect butterfly. i released it and i believe i saw it fluttering around my garden a week later.