Newbie chrysalis question...

[velodurt]

Hi everyone, I have so enjoyed learning from this forum...now I have a question of my own.
Several of my cats formed their chrysalis on the lid of a cup...they are each on seperate cups (small plastic drinking cup with lids) attached to the underside rim of the cup lid. Can they eclose properly or should I move them? My concern is that they will be too close to the side of the cup to hang properly. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Oh, one other question...do chrysalids need to have indirect sunlight or can they be in a dark room?

I have released one healthy female so far this year and have 15 more ready to eclose

[Mona Miller]

It is better for them to have indirect sunlight. The dark room will cause them to take longer to emerge.

The size of the cup is the issue. They need at least the size of a 12 oz drinking cup. What if they fall when the are eclosing (emerging) will they be able to climb back up to hang to dry their wings.

I have some Monarchs that I didn't even hang. I was watching and I video taped this how, they emerged and were able to upright themselves and crawl across the floor of the cage and up the netting to inflate their wings. It is so important. I pin or place mine into net containers. I have pictures, too. I will post the pictures later.

[velodurt]

Thanks Mona...you are an invaluable resource!

The cups are 10oz...here is a pic

I have the cups inside of a mesh emergence chamber so they can climb to hang if needed.

[velodurt]

Shoot...link to pic didn't work. Try this http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.js ... Id=2799857

[Mona Miller]

Did you take the lids and put them into the net container? That would work. Even if you laid them down.

[velodurt]

The cups worked great...I placed them in the emergence chamber and they eclosed beautifully. Thanks again for your help!

[Mona Miller]

I'm glad to hear that.