found on ground

[mommalepapillon]

Hi
I am new here but am hoping you can help me...
This month I have been happily enjoying observing my mini butterly habitat. Milkweed galour and caterpillars in various stages. Today a big gust of wind knocked over my outdoor table and a few chairs. When I went to pick them up I found a chrylasis on the ground I picked it up
Now I am not sure what to do, where to put it or if I've lost one of the beauties.
It is a light green with beautiful gold dots

Please tell me something can be done

Thanks
Christine
Sutton NH

[MILW]

You can save it, the butterfly should be just fine if the chrysalis wasn't damaged. There are a couple of ways to keep it, so the butterfly will have something to climp up when it ecloses. If you have mesh hamper, or one of those bughouses with mesh walls/roof (at least 4-5" high), just lay the chrysalis on the bottom on a folded paper towel. You don't need to try to hang the chrysalis back up- the butterfly knows to try to climb up so that it can expand its wings.

Another way, if you have some extra window screen handy, is to cut a piece of screen that you can roll up and put inside of a plastic container- there's an image on the forum here somewhere, I'll add a link when I find it.

Be sure to keep any cats (felines) away- mine have been known to chase those fluttering wings!

Good luck, I'm sure some more people have good suggestions.
cheers - Scott

[mommalepapillon]

Thank you and I did go wandering in the other forums and found just the thing you were talking about!


Oh I do have two cats but will keep it in the cat free room

does it need sun? or will it be ok just in a room

oh my this responsibility is nerve racking!!!

thanks again
c