Thanks Susan! I can identify the butterflies and cats easily, I was having trouble with the chrysalis. But, based on the pic in the link you provided I'd say its a monarch: more vibrant green and more gold around the black banding at the top.

I'll let you know the status of the chrysalis in a week.Thanks again!

Rhonda

I had the same question as Rhonda. Unfortunately, the link to the butterfly ranch doesn't tell us the size of Queen and Monarch chrysalises. It just shows that there is a difference. I have both in my yard too, and today found a chrysalis. It is just right at 1" long. Which species is it?

As Rhonda mentioned above, unless they're side by side, I wouldn't be able to tell:

(3 Monarchs, left; 2 Queens, right) ^^ These are from my most recent brood.

Because I've had Monarch chrysalises on the smallish side (where I didn't think a butterfly could emerge, but did), I don't know that a 1" chrysalis = Queen.

I guess we'll know in a week or two. Please share once your critter emerges.

Rhonda: what did yours end up being?

Thanks! What are the lengths of the five you have there?

Jean: I can't measure the Monarchs as they all JUST eclosed pre-dawn -- 8 new butterflies are drying their wings as I type. :)

The Queen chrysalises pictured above are in the same enclosure, so I don't want to disturb the newly emerged Monarchs. However, the length/size of my final Queen chrysalis (formed yesterday) is typical of the others, IIRC; and it's measuring just shy of 3/4" (excluding the cremaster):

HTH

Later today, after the Monarchs have taken flight, I'm happy to measure whatever Monarch chrysalises might be left, just to compare.

Thanks for the pics Javi! When I went out a few days later to check on that chrysalis, it was entirely gone. Probably lizards :(

Awww, Rhonda. That's a shame.

Thanks, Rhonda! Our one chrysalis eclipsed the day after I last posted here. My husband happened to be walking by the fern from which the chrysalis was attached and actually saw a Monarch drying its wings. How cool is that!

Oh, if any of you are fellow Texans, the Texas Pollinator Bioblitz starts today, sponsored by Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.