I don't do anything. I remove almost all of my chrysalises and lay them on a paper towel in the bottom of a butterfly pavilion. The butterflies eclose, crawl to a side, and then crawl up the side to hang. Easy peasy.

I used to be like most people and get all bent out of shape when one of my chrysalises fell. Had to hang it back up somehow!! But there were some I could not hang and I came up with ways of still having a butterfly come out fine. I pretty much went with laying everybody down when I found out that is how butterfly farms operate. I like no longer worrying about disturbing chrysalises when I need to clean containers.

http://www.insectlore.com/butterfly-pavilion-habitat-only

This is a picture from Shady Oak Butterfly Farm. Monarch chrysalises piled in tubs.

http://www.butterfly-fun-facts.com/wp-content/uploads/pupaerecord2012.6.jpg

Wow. Surprising. I always thought/think they havfta be in a position to develop. Edit: From what I've seen, at butterfly pavilions they display them upright on a board!

I've had butterflies emerge with crooked wings because it couldn't hang. I didn't do it on purpose but it happened. I have no idea how you could lay the

chrysalises down. I've had butterflies emerge too close to the ground and their wings never opened properly.

Can you explain how this is possible?

Jane

I'm used to Leps pupating underground, on the ground, or putting their pupa in a position that it will end up on the ground. When the adult ecloses, it crawls around in seach of something it can climb up so its wings can expand and dry.

You're used to Leps hanging their pupa somewhere and hanging onto it after eclosure. But they still have the instinct to seek out a higher up spot if they find themselves on the ground.

For my butterfly pupae, I lay them on a paper towel. That makes sure they have something to grab that gives them enough purchase to pull themselves out of their pupa. If they cannot grab something to pull on, they won't get out.

The butterfly pavilion makes it easy for them to find something to crawl up. They are completely encircled in netting so they will find it. I have watched some that crawl in small circles for a while but they eventually find the wall.

I've had butterflies emerge too close to the bottom surface too. They know they are not touching the bottom when they eclose and don't bother to move when their expanding wings hit the bottom. Placing their pupa on the bottom in the first place eliminates this problem.