Hi Bev, the chrysalis will eclose in about 10-14 days. IF it's healthy and hasn't been parasitized, or perhaps found by a predator and eaten, or some other hazards that could befall the chrysalis. However, it's already beaten enormous odds to make it to this stage (as you've noticed - lots little cats, not many make it to pupate). Perhaps next year you can help them along and bring some in to raise? :-D Monarchs are a tropical species. They can't overwinter in a temperate climate. They can't even fly below approx. 50 degrees F (10 C). In North America, there are 2 primary over-wintering locations - along the coast of California, and some fir forests in the mountains of central Mexico, where they are occasionally exposed to harsh weather, but many still manage to survive. Black Swallowtails, on the other hand, ARE a temperate species, and many of the chrysalises that I have in my tank right now will probably over-winter with me (in the garage) and eclose next Spring. Amazing that they can survive snow, ice, and freezing temps outside! (PS. We are pretty smart on this forum, but the real knowledge about b-flies is on the Butterfly forum! :)

I was at Annie's Annuals on Saturday and it was quite a big crowd. I love that place and have gotten some great hard to find plants there. I have noticed two PLs this week and was surprised because we usually have the WCLs here. And I saw my first Monarch several days ago. It was probably a male because it didn't stop and I have plenty of milkweed. I don't yet have that many nectar sources in bloom yet though. Murray

Beautiful!! How long does the whole process take once they start coming out of the chrysalis? We had a fine time in the butterfly building at the Fair. My daughter was in heaven with her little flowered shirt and the butterflies landing all over her. Great pictures! Thanks for sharing! Kristy :)

Glad to hear it, James. Hope you get many more. It was windy today here in Central Florida. There were butterflies, but not as many as days when it's sunny with little wind.