Yes, two of the three caterpillars we took into the warmth of our house in May, have made it to chrysalis stage. If you recall, from a post I put up last week, the other caterpillar didn't make it and died before forming its chrysalis.
The last caterpillar to form it's chrysalis, two days ago, had us wondering if it too might not make it.
The day before it formed it's chrysalis it began wandering about the caterpillar castle, leaving a trail of green liquid. I've not seen this before and there are several reasons why it could have happened, however I'll go into that at a later date.
Fortunately the caterpillar eventually settled, made its button and successfully hung into a 'J'.
But (yes, there was a but) it formed into a J in a bit of a silly place that may have compromised it successfully making its chrysalis, so I moved it onto my usual setup of a toothpick poked into florists foam. Next day it formed a perfect chrysalis.
Next, I decided to sex the two chrysalis's. I've not done this before, although there are many websites with articles explaining how to determine which is a male and which is a female within the chrysalis.
They say it's not possible to determine the sex of a Monarch caterpillar without dissecting it, however the sex can be determined once the chrysalis has been formed.
Going by the above sketch, I think they both show the extended indentation and are therefore females.
What do you think? Am I right?
Time will tell, as to whether these are both females. I'll let you know.
#1 should emerge later next week, although it might take a little longer seeing our weather is quite cold now. #2 should emerge at the end of the following week, all going well, however the danger is still not past for these two. At this Wintery time of year an emerging butterfly might not have enough strength to break out of its chrysalis.
Now it's a waiting game.