Jennifer,

What did the abdomens of the two Monarchs that eclosed look like? Did they have mottled looking stripes? (check my blog for an example)

How are the other 30 chrysalides? Any of them showing dark spots that are unusual? If they show dark spots, then they have OE. OE shows up as weird, dark spots on the pupa. Generally, the abdomens of the Monarchs that do eclose have mottled or indistinct white stripes (not always but USUALLY
!!). Abdomens are also usually much thinner...I am 'brutal' when it comes to raising Monarchs and I euthanize anything that has ANY unusual markings or if the caterpillars have diarrhea-like frass/poop or if there is a foul odour.

I'm having the same issue now too. The chrysalis I gave my mother to release, she said it dropped to the bottom and just laid on its back, she had to put it on the stick, and still the wings never opened. I had her euthanize. This morning, I had the same thing. The chysalis never showed any dark spots before it thinned. This is what came out, he/she can't even get his hind legs out to grab anything. His little feeding tubular tongue thing (sorry I dont know the technical term and dont feel like looking it up right now) is wrapped around his head. The black and white is NOT distinct. I can only assume OE. I too have more chrys getting ready to open. I guess we just wait and see.

OE??
{{gwi:514783}}

Looks like a possibility of OE. Do you have a microscope? You could test for it quite easily.

unfortuantly no, I'm starting to wish I did have a microscope.

I just recieved my kit from Project Monarch Health in the mail today. Granted it won't give me any answers now, but hopefully it'll help the University of Georgia in the studies. One thing concerned me though, in the kit it has instructions on how to raise cats, and it says to place a damp paper towel in the bottom of the container. Isn't moisture a bad thing? These instruction are for raising cats from 4th or 5th instar.

Moisture IS a bad thing. I don't do the moist paper towel thing...

I don't either, I just found it odd that instructions from Sonia Altizer's Lab says too.