When is my caterpillar going to change into a chrysalis?

[@beverlyinSoFlo]

I found your video a few hours AFTER my caterpillar had gone from a "J" to a Chrysalis. I did take a before picture and now see the 'dried out ribbons' the tentacles had already become, so I probably missed the dramatic show by 30 minutes or less. I will be ready for when the next Monarch reaches that stage. Great video. Concise and informative. Will be sharing.

[@Kartik-q3c]

Digestive system ka video banaen

[@singingzoo]

Sorry, I think there are typos there and I don't understand your comment. Can you try again?

[@redpumpkin28]

Are there any detailed videos anywhere showing the same sort of indications when a Swallowtail caterpillar is attached upside down and ready to transform to chrysalis? When I came home from work I noticed the first caterpillar (out of five) that we have is attached upside down to a branch in our habitat, and has been now for almost 9 hours.

[@singingzoo]

Not that I know of. I haven't raised swallowtails before so I'll have to give it a try!

[@UpNorthSparkles]

We successfully hatched a beautiful male two days ago! I was able to hold him on my hand as he dried and took flight! We have another chrysalis about to open, as well as one in the J amd two babies still eating and growing! This has been an incredible experience with my family! Thanks for the tips about thw tentacles!

[@singingzoo]

I love to hear that! It really is an amazing thing to watch. You've done a good thing for the butterflies and a good thing for your family!

[@sparkymydog1]

Thanks I’m learning and it’s so fun!

[@kikig7]

Thank you

[@MariaBaker-xp1mx]

Thank you - I have over 30 black swallowtails in all stages with many near chrysalis state. Now I know what to look for.

[@singingzoo]

Let me know how it goes. Hopefully swallowtails show the same signs as monarchs.

[@annkebbell3770]

Thank you for help.😅

[@GPx1]

Very helpful! Thank you

[@singingzoo]

So glad. The first time I had a caterpillar in a J, I waited and waited and waited, so I thought I'd pass that tip along. I'll post another soon showing what to look for with emergence...

[@carrieanmarie]

Oh this helped me Sooooooo much 😊 thank you

[@singingzoo]

Yea!! I'm so glad. I waited and waited and waited the first time so I hope I spared you a little of that.

[@MarshaRayeePechman]

My caterpillar seems to be stuck now for two hours with the Christalis only partially out and is not moving much

[@singingzoo]

Oh, no, I'm sorry to hear that. Keep being patient and leave it alone but know that a good number of chrysalises fail for one reason or another. Remember that this is a difficult process fraught with many potential complications. I hope it comes out okay. Keep us updated and thanks for raising monarchs!

[@mommasoto]

Q: We had 5 caterpillars, most in instar 4 & 5 and all of the sudden they started disappearing. This is enclosed with a mesh and plants. All I could find was that they probably ate each other? So perhaps overcrowded, scarce resources for all, or one was sick? What do I need to know so we can fix this? Also the remaining 2 are well over an inch, have been for longer than I expected...what would keep them from forming a chrysalis? Thanks!

[@singingzoo]

I've had some pretty crowded caterpillars that stripped a plant bare and they still did not eat each other, but I can't tell you what happened. I learned long ago that just because I haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I'm not going to be able to give you any definite answers here but my best guess is that your caterpillars have some kind of parasite, fungal infection, or other illness. I wish I could help more but it sounds like you have about as much knowledge and experience as I do.

[@mommasoto]

@@singingzoo well....haha...they were all there! all 5. 2 were already hanging in chrysalis form (the enclosure is domed shaped and we didn't see them, they're fast!!! and 2 others were hiding well. one literally escaped the enclosure and I had to get him back in. They are both now in J formation. One looks like he's infected. He was under a leaf, no longer moving (although if you look carefully he was still alive), but was a brown color. I assume this is some infection, a tachinid fly? So I separated him in a container w/leaves to be sure and avoid any contamination. Still the same.

[@singingzoo]

​@@mommasotoGlad you solved one of those mysteries --and with a non cannibalistic ending! They can be sneaky! Best of luck and keep me posted!

[@mommasoto]

@@singingzoo the last 2 went into J formation pretty quick yesterday evening and by this morning they were already a chrysalis. I kept looking up how long that takes, but found different numbers. Thanks for your helpful videos! Now we wait (gonna go buy some diff native milkweed varieties been wanting to try for the hungry bunch) ;)

[@tajviper2596]

❤ adorable

[@puiepuie641]

it's been one night since they've been hanging in the J shaped and the tentacles haven't dried up. How long does it take before they do? did i do something wrong ?

[@singingzoo]

It really takes a lot longer than I expected, which is one of the reasons I made this video. Be patient. As long as you're leaving it alone, you haven't done anything wrong so, if it should fail, it's not your fault. It's a big complex process it's going through!

[@puiepuie641]

@@singingzoo Yup you wwere right! i just needed to wait a bit, one is in the cacoon now and the others have dried up. thanks!

[@singingzoo]

Hooray! So glad to hear that. Thanks for helping the butterflies!

[@onemorecast3913]

Swallowtails don't have the tentacles, so I have to find other clues. I am raising 7 of them and I have missed every pupation. One morning, my guy who had been j-hooking for several hours, went from caterpillar to pupa in the five minutes I took to go find my tripod!

[@singingzoo]

Argh! It happens so fast doesn't it? I have had the same experience, which is why I made this and the other video about when it will emerge. Let me know what clues you find for swallowtails!

[@Anders-vl6kk]

cool

[@PamBruck-f2d]

How can I protect my catipillars from the lizards in my backyard? 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@singingzoo]

Sorry to take so long to respond, I was traveling and had bad internet. You can get mesh "tents" to protect caterpillars and/or leave plants in pots and bring them inside--just be prepared to deal with the frass. I put the plants in big tubs to catch most of it. Good luck!

[@CathrineSalmon]

Very interesting thank you .

[@singingzoo]

Glad you appreciated it!

[@mathewmiriam]

I found my caterpillar, not moving.I feel sad, by seeing this.Actually,is it change of stage? Please reply 🥹

[@singingzoo]

They do stop moving when they are becoming a chrysalis. They also shed their skins as they grow from small caterpillars to bigger ones. Hope that's what is going on.