The reason we don't see the butterflies is because we have a huge problem with predators eating both the butterfly eggs (ants in particular) and also the caterpillars (Asian Paper Wasps and other insects), so if we don't raise the caterpillars under cover, there will be almost no butterflies in some areas.
I harvest a few eggs at a time and raise them indoors, then release the butterflies as soon as they emerge from their chrysalis. Depending on how much food I have for caterpillars, as soon as butterflies fly off, I bring in more eggs. If I don't have enough milkweed to feed caterpillars right through to making their chrysalis, I don't harvest the eggs.
Yesterday and today, 3 butterflies (2 females yesterday, a male today) emerged from their chrysalis's and flew off to their butterfly lives. No matter how many I raise, I always find it exciting when a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis and even more exciting when it takes its flight. 🦋