Raising Swallowtails

Here's a thumb link to the chrysalis I posted.

Well, the original position was buried under a pile of firewood and hidden amongst ferns. Don't think I can duplicate that, but I'll try to add a few ferns and see what happens.

I found a couple of Monarch pupae last year and left them where found. They disappeared pretty quickly, so I think a protected situation will help this one along.

The important thing, besides keeping it where it won't get eaten, of course, is the architecture of the space around it. I presume you didn't put the log in a cardboard box. You can substitute a stick or a pencil for the log; put the stick through the chrysalis's little safety belt so it hangs from something.

If its belt is gone, maybe someone else can advise about how to keep a chrysalis that rests on a surface. (Use sewing thread to make a loop?)

Your monarchs last year may have come out and migrated southward.

I forgot to add that if the chrysalis is in a container, there should be an opening big enough for the butterfly to fly out. A butterfly is a lot bigger than its chrysalis. If it isn't in a container, be sure it won't have access to anything that's dangerous to land on, such as the surface of a heater or a paper shredder left in Auto mode. A found chrysalis is of unknown age. The butterfly may emerge at any time.

I've raised exactly one butterfly to the adult stage. Some regulars at this site have vastly more experience and may be able to give you more-complete advice.

I have a glass fish tank with a screen lid - available at pet stores for people who keep reptiles and other non-fish in them, or you can make your own with a piece of screen. The caterpillars live in there, and pupate on plant stems, the side of the tank, or the lid. When the adults emerge, they have plenty of room to hang upside-down and dry their wings, but can't escape; they're usually not interested in flying for at least an hour after they emerge.

Once they start to flutter, I cover the tank with a light sheet or towel (so light doesn't make them want to fly away and bang their wings around the tank) and carry it outside, or put it in front of an open window in a small room with the door closed. Remove the cloth cover and open the lid. The butterflies will head towards the fresh air and sky and fly away!

Sometimes they have trouble finding "up" and flutter around in the tank a lot. Gently put a stick, pencil, plant stem, or (carefully!) your fingers near them and nudge them towards the top. They may climb onto the stick/you, in which case lift it very slowly out of the tank. When you've lifted them well above the top of the tank, just wait - they may fly away immediately, or spend some time "warming up" by hanging there, walking around, spreading their wings, etc. Since they are in the open air now, they can't damage their wings by flapping.

Never try to force a butterfly to fly by pushing it or shaking it off its perch. If you want it on another perch (e.g., it's on your finger and tickles a lot), slowly move your hand to the new perch and hold it lower than that - insects instinctively climb up. If your hand is higher than the new perch, they'll just keep climbing you!

Don't get frustrated, it may take several hours for a large butterfly to get ready to fly. Just be patient and enjoy watching the beautiful creature!