How long?

[tglassburner]

How long does it normally take for a 5th instar to go from cat to chrysalis?

[John Beaulieu]

Once they are ready to change, they will slect a spot and hang in a J shape for about a day. The actual process of shedding the last skin and becoming a chrysalis only takes about a minute or so. If you are waiting to watch, it will most likely happen if you leave for a minute! I posted this series of photos just before you joined MW and you may not have seen them.

I was lucky and had camera in hand when this caterpillar started the change. As I have said, it seems like a good indicator is when the antennae go really limp.

John
( more monarch/milkweed photos at http://photobucket.com/albums/a240/JohnBeaulieu )

[tglassburner]

Mine finally changed after being in the J for a day I thought maybe something was wrong then sure enough i went to the restroom and poof he changed

[tglassburner]

Where do you have them hanging?

[John Beaulieu]

They are hanging just above the window of an enclosed porch (above the old aquarium we use to house the caterpillars). There is a large overhang outside, so the direct sun doesn't hit them. When they emerge, the butterflies hang on the old chrysalis shell and the clips to dry. We usually get to them before they fly around in the porch, and release them in the garden. We only do this to the chrysalises that are formed on leaves. Most are formed on the screen top of the tank, and we leave them there (until they emerge and are ready to release.

John