Monarchs Emerging from Laying Down Position

[Mona Miller]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtDbSBnUy7Y
This made me very nervous. I was at class ("Insect Life" USDA Graduate School/Audubon Naturalist Society) last night until around 10 PM. I had wanted to hang the rest of my pupae, but didn't get it
done. This morning I saw that at least 5 had emerged without my help. So, I decided to video tape how they were doing this. I was amazing how they flipped themselves over, crawled over, and then climbed up the net sides.

They just need enough room, an easy path to walk, and a place to climb to inflate their wings--Go Monarchs!

[terrifly]

Amazing !!...you must of been a nervous wreck
Terri

[Mona Miller]

I was. I had to restrain myself from helping it up. But, they can emerge from that position. I video tapped that through the plastic side of the container. It wasn't very clear.

[blazing star]

Amazing! Who woulda thunk?

I can't believe how many you've raised. Thanks for your dedication.

[Mona Miller]

That is not many. Some people on this forum raise 500-900--now that is amazing.

[blazing star]

I only raised about 25 this whole year. I cannot find eggs.

[Mona Miller]

That is the situation in a lot of places. You may get some females go through soon and laying.

[Schmetterling]

Thanks for sharing, loved that video!!

[Mona Miller]

Even after I posted why the pupae were laying down in the first place, someone asked me why again, here's a further explanation and more details:

I did not have time to hang them, but since then I have let 50 emerge that way and every one has done it successfully. Monarch Watch does not hang their pupae for them to eclose (emerge), they do not need to hang. These have been laying down from the second day that they formed. The important factor is that they need a surface they can walk on and a place to hang to dry. A net cage is the perfect place for them to eclose (emerge) laying down. I also do this with a few of my Swallowtails that lose their girdle (instead of gluing them up).

I have been separating those pupae that are about to eclose (emerge) so they don't have to crawl over the pupae that are still green. I also put them closer to the sides. I make sure the net side is placed in the direction of the light. They seem to always go towards the light.

[lcbergan]

Amazing! For years I thought they had to hang and stressed to reattach them.Thanks

[Mona Miller]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=648#p3241
Emerging Chamber. Monarch Watch uses these for emerging.