Scratched Chrysalis

[terrifly]

Hello,
I am new to the forum and new to Monarch Rearing ...This is my first year.
I have a problem with one of the newer chrysalis I have. This one seemed to be a late bloomer and pupated later than everyone else. Anyway....Last night we had bad storms and as I was battening down the hatched one of the other milkweed stalks inside the cage with another chrysalis fell over and scratched the newer chrysalis. Now it has a scratch...this is what it looks like now. Will it be ok?

Thanks,
Terri

[Paul Cherubini]

Hard to say in advance. The scratch is in the area where the butterfly antennae, proboscis (butterfly feeding tube) and forewing tip are. There is a chance one of these parts could end up slightly deformed and also a slight chance they might stick to the shell of the chrysalis when the butterfly is trying to emerge. So if you have time, try to be around when the butterfly emerges to see if it needs "help" in separating any parts that might tend to stick to the chrysalis.

There is also a chance the butterfly could turn out almost completely normal. Even if the butterfly has defects, it is still often capable of leading a near normal life in the wild. The worst defect would be a damaged feeding tube that would prevent the butterfly from drinking water and nectar.

[Mona Miller]

I mist my chrysalis at least once a day. You need to do this inside since the air conditioning takes away the humidity.

[terrifly]

Thank you for your reply. I feel very bad that this happened. And I am going to feel so much worse if its causes a defect..sigh
I have been making sure that I watch them carefully but its been hard to catch them emerging. The last one I was able to catch. So I will keep an extra close eye on this one. How exactly do I help if it needs help emerging?....I don't want to make anything worse or hurt it.
Terri

[Paul Cherubini]

How exactly do I help if it needs help emerging?....I don't want to make anything worse or hurt it. Terri

Here is a normal emergence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frF_BFGpuNM
Notice no parts of the butterfly are stuck to the shell of the chrysalis.

If any body parts of your butterfly look like they are stuck to the chrysalis, you should gently grasp the butterfly and pull it free of the chrysalis and then place the butterfly on a rough textured surface like a towel or netting where it can hang and expand it's wings.

You must act pretty quickly because the butterfly will try to expand it's wings within 30 seconds of emerging from the chrysalis and the extremely soft wings will end up deformed if the butterfly cannot hang from something like a towel or netting.

[Mona Miller]

How exactly do I help if it needs help emerging?....I don't want to make anything worse or hurt it. Terri

Here is a normal emergence: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frF_BFGpuNM
Notice no parts of the butterfly are stuck to the shell of the chrysalis.

If any body parts of your butterfly look like they are stuck to the chrysalis, you should gently grasp the butterfly and pull it free of the chrysalis and then place the butterfly on a rough textured surface like a towel or netting where it can hang and expand it's wings.

You must act pretty quickly because the butterfly will try to expand it's wings within 30 seconds of emerging from the chrysalis and the extremely soft wings will end up deformed if the butterfly cannot hang from something like a towel or netting.

Tugging on the butterfly can cause more damage. If something is stuck, I first try spraying some water to soften the pupae. See if the butterfly can free its self. If not, look at what is going on. You may be able to gently take a toothpick and free it. Time is critical because the wings will start expanding as soon as it is out of the chrysalis.

[Mona Miller]

If it is damaged or if you are not there and it gets stuck. The fact that you brought it in and tried to save it is a huge effort. Very few make it in the wild on their own.

Let's hope that every thing is alright. Just mist it very day and hope for the best.

[terrifly]

Thanks everyone...I will do everything I can and will let eveyone know how it turned out,
Terri

[skates4marty]

Terrifly, see the thread I started on Sept 5, 2010, "Split-skin Chrysalis"

I ended up having a lot of Oe that season, so maybe...?

[Mona Miller]

If your butterfly emerges okay, then I would recommend testing just to make sure that it is OE free. It doesn't hurt them.

http://www.monarchparasites.org/
Click on Testing for Parasites

http://www.amazon.com/Carson-MM-200-Mic ... 512&sr=8-4
This little 40x-100x microscope could be used for testing for OE.

http://monarchwatch.org/amazon/
Don't forget to go through the Amazon portal when ordering from Amazon. Monarch Watch gets some rebates and it really helps fund their research.

[terrifly]

Well ..My little fellow came out a-ok! He seems alright ...He looks beautiful !!!
Mona what do you think????
I am searching the house for some clear tape.....all I seem to find is that invisible stuff. I got the little microscope though.

I am very glad he is ok...and he seems very strong.

Terri

[Mona Miller]

You can't take the OE test without clear tape. They can look fine, but still have a low infection. Not all the butterflies who are infected die--this is how the spores are passed on.

But, he sure does look beautiful. Congratulations!

[terrifly]

Yes, I do know that. I did end up going out and bought tape last night and will do the test this morning.
I just thought I had to have some somewhere in the house ....I will most likely find it tomorrow.
Terri

[Mona Miller]

I know the feeling. I put something away, thinking that that is a good place to put it. Then, when I need it, I can't find it.

Good luck with your testing. I will hope for a good outcome.

[terrifly]

Outcome was good....As far as I could tell...compared it too what I saw on several websites. The little micro scope works very well. The little fellow was healthy...just happen to be in the way when his chrysalis got scratched.
Terri

[Mona Miller]

Thank God. Now he can go off and multiply. It is a wonderful feeling to rear and release a healthy butterfly.