this is really the first time this has worked for me - perhaps because the pupa was pretty far along in it's development when I collected it. I'm eager to try this more often in the future.

I have seen both the pupae and the beetles around but could not be sure of the connection! Does anything special have to be done to keep one of the pupae or is it just a matter of waiting?

Also, how can you be sure that the insect is still inside? I have seen empty ones that seemed complete before.

I just collected the pupa and put it in a closed container and waited for the adult to emerge. It's been a while, but I think I could see the pupating insect inside the case with a hand lens or my microscope... Give it a try!

I realized after asking, that once you take possession of it, you can see it from all angles. I was thinking about the ones that I have seen that seem to have little legs near the attachment to the plant. Legs or remnants? Well, of course it would be easy to tell once you have made the commitment to keep it. In the field, I don't want to disturb them because they may be harmed. It may sound silly, but I don't want to be responsible for harming a Ladybird larva. On the other hand if I feel I can give it just as good, or better, a shot at adulthood, then I can do it!

I'll move the whole set to the guide page.