Thank you for all that information. I have brought some inside, and left others hanging outside. Some successes, and some that never emerged. For creating places to hang them, I bought one of those pool noodles and cut it into short lengths then split one side so it can be slid over a ledge, branch, broom stick, etc and then it is easy to pin the chrysalis in a hanging position. I had about 30 of them hanging in that way around the house and deck.
Thanks Caryl and Leslie, yes, you’re quite right. I was thinking in terms of winter.
On hot summers’ days they will need to have humidity. As the others say, you can spray them (but never when they’re about to eclose). I just put a small bowl of water or a soaked ball of cotton wool nearby. In winter, they need every bit of light and warmth they can get.
I found putting them in direct sun by a window resulted in black patches and problems e closing and a couple of deaths. I make sure they get good light but indirect light + a misting every day or so and that works well.
Jacqui, Caution required exposing chrysalaides to maximum sun. If they are a light spray is needed every day otherwise the chrysalis will become too dry and the butterfly doomed. Caryl
I have lots of the chrysalis hanging in my butterfly house which is kept outside in sheltered position. Many have been hanging for several weeks and showing no sign of colour change. Should I bring them inside for warmth?
I read somewhere that if your chrysalis is not near a plant, it will not be getting the humidity it will usually get, so spraying the chrysalises every now and then with water can stop them dehydrating.
I do actually prefer to have them hanging, I have tried the method of having them lying in a container with mesh (I used a chux cloth) and while many were fine, I did find a few of them failed to exit the chrysalis properly, as instead of it being fixed so they could pull out of it easily, it was dragged behind them, and was tangled up around the abdomen somewhat, and was quite difficult to release. The butterflies were otherwise quite fine.
Maximum sun, Katie. And warmth – if it’s comfortable for you (people) then it’s good for the pupae.
They don’t need to be hanging – so long as they can climb up something immediately their chrysalis opens. I put mine in a little net box, so they can climb up the side of the net and dry their wings. A friend puts hers at the bottom of a net “curtain” which is pegged to a chair. I have also put them on the inside rim of one of those umbrella type food covers and that worked well. Each day I check them and make sure anything that is colouring up is right next to the rim – so the butterflies emerge and immediately climb up the inside of the net to dry their wings. It works very well.
Hope that helps.
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