Eastern Giant Swallowtail question

11 years ago

I have a couple chrysalides that have been sitting for a couple of months, inside the house, where the temp is about 78-80 and a few days cooler at night. I also have 5 new eggs that are sure to hatch today or tomorrow.

Last year the latest a chrysalis hatched was on my birthday in late November. I also had one from last fall, that I had given up on, and it hatched in the house just a couple of months ago.

Now for the, "what should I do" part. I won't give up on any of these, but for over wintering I'll have a new option this year. I am having a beautiful greenhouse installed late October. It won't go below 45 degrees. Can I over winter the chrysalides there? I won't have to keep them in cages and I hope that there could always be a source of fresh nectar blooms for them.

I think the greenhouse could also be a great place to raise Monarchs in the spring with loads of potted milkweed. Has anyone done this? Currently my living room has been taken over by cages and critter keepers. I don't really care but wonder if this is a viable option.

Thoughts please on over wintering and the role the greenhouse could play. Thanks in advance!

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Comments (3)

Beth Willett
11 years ago
I don't know the answer to your over wintering question, but I'm interested in the responses! This is my first year raising swallowtails and I hear they "hibernate" if they form the chrysalis in the fall like yours did. It would be nice to get them out of your living room! The greenhouse is going to be so awesome! Keep those armadillos out!
kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)
Original Author
11 years ago
No armadillos allowed in the greenhouse!!! OMG, I can't imagine what a disaster that would be!
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Mary Leek
11 years ago
I live in zone 7b and keep the chrysalides that overwinter on the top shelf of my potting table that is protected by the eave of the house. Sometimes my winter temps can get into the teens and even occasionally into single digits. They ride out the winter just fine and with spring, eclose and fly off.

I have a small greenhouse that I heat in the winter months. I live in zone 7b and it can get quite warm in there during sunny winter days, even with a shade cloth on all the time. I also use a large vent with a temp sensor that opens automatically when temps reach a certain range and I keep a temp sensor in the greenhouse with a receiver kept in my house so I can monitor the greenhouse temps. If possible, I would suggest exchanging information with someone else in your area who maintains a greenhouse. A greenhouse can heat up fast during sunny days so I wonder if it would get too hot to keep butterflies in there without lots of venting plus you'd have to screen all the vent openings if you mean to keep them contained. On the other hand, if it is cool enough for the plants to thrive and bloom, then it seems logical the butterflies would be OK.

A big 'Congratulations' on your new greenhouse.

Mary