Here are some steps on how to reattach a monarch butterfly chrysalis:
1. Gather the materials you will need. This includes the fallen chrysalis, a small piece of string or twine, and a milkweed stem or leaf.
2. Prepare the milkweed stem or leaf. If the chrysalis fell onto the ground, first wipe it off with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt that may have stuck to it. If necessary, trim the stem or leaf to about 4-6 inches long.
3. Attach the chrysalis to the milkweed stem or leaf. Use the small piece of string or twine to tie the chrysalis securely to the stem or leaf. Make sure the knot is tight so that the chrysalis will not fall off again.
4. Place the stem or leaf with the attached chrysalis in a safe location. Hang it from a branch or somewhere else where it will not be disturbed. Ideally, the location will be out of the hot sun but not in a cool or drafty area.
5. Keep the stem or leaf with the attached chrysalis moist. Spray it with water once a day to simulate rain. This will prevent the chrysalis from drying out.
6. Wait for the butterfly to emerge. It will take about 2-3 weeks for the butterfly to emerge from the chrysalis. Once the butterfly has emerged, it will need a few days to dry its wings before it can fly.
Tips:
- Don't touch your monarch chrysalis with your bare hands. The oils from your skin can damage the chrysalis.
- If the fallen chrysalis is damaged or has a hole, you might want to put a small dab of glue on it. This will help prevent it from drying out and will also deter predators from eating it.
- Keep the stem or leaf with the attached chrysalis in a cool location, but not too cold. The ideal temperature is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Provide the chrysalis with some food in case it needs to rehydrate, placing a small drop of sugar or honey every few days on a tiny cotton ball near the chrysalis.
- You can monitor the chrysalis as it changes color, revealing the butterfly's wings developing on the inside. Monarchs go through several color changes as they mature inside the chrysalis: initially green with a shiny gold spot, then pale green with a dark green stripe. Later it transitions to a darker green with black splotches, then to a clear green or yellow with black edges, indicating that the butterfly's wings are almost ready to emerge.
- If the butterfly struggles to emerge from its chrysalis, you might want to try gently breaking open the chrysalis with your fingers. Be very gentle, as the butterfly's wings are very delicate at this stage.