Brown on Monarch Chrysalis

8 years ago

these brown spots have shown up on my monarch chrysalis, does this mean it is dead? Should I remove it?

Featured Answer

javiwa

8 years ago

In my experience, a butterfly should emerge within 7-10 days of the chrysalis (generally, on the 7-day side if the weather's warm). Again, I'd just keep watch -- within the next few days, either a butterfly will emerge or (more likely) the chrysalis will slowly turn a dark brown...not good. A healthy butterfly/chrysalis will be almost jet black (with bits of orange -- the wings! -- appearing) right before the butterfly emerges:

Fingers crossed!

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Comments (9)

Brittany Farias
Original Author
8 years ago
javiwa
8 years ago
Any time my monarch chrysalises have become discolored, they ended up dying. Doesn't look good, but you might as well leave it alone and keep an eye on it. How long ago did the chrysalis form?
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Brittany Farias
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thanks for the info! It formed no longer than a week ago.
weed30 St. Louis
8 years ago
That's definitely a goner. A healthy chrysalis will slowly darken evenly, until it's about to emerge and it looks like the photo above.
Brittany Farias thanked weed30 St. Louis
Brittany Farias
Original Author
8 years ago
Appreciate all the feedback! As of tonight I have removed the chrysalis to a separate enclosure to see how it makes out. I want to avoid any form of infestation on the rest of the caterpillars/chrysalis’s. Will keep you posted
Brittany Farias
Original Author
8 years ago
Update! A butterfly did emerge from the chrysalis however the upper right wing did not form. He stuck around for about two days and as of this morning he is nowhere to be found.
javiwa
8 years ago
That's great news! Hope it does okay out there, though a bum wing may make it easy prey for birds.
Amethyst Or lgbtfan
6 years ago
It could have the oe virus if they make it out to adulthood the one's with oe comes out deformed.