InsectNet forum

I have a few Nymphalidae chrysalids, detached from the substrate.
Can anyone tell me how to fix the chrysalis, normally hung upside-down,
to the mesh on the top of the eclosion cage?
When I was a kid, I did this with some glue,
just can not remember which one.
Please help!

The problem was solved with Elmer's glue.
I hope, it is not toxic for chrysalids.

super glue would probably work as well, I think it's used on human skin. You just need a non toxic glue that you can apply with precision.

Yes, cyanoacrylate (superglue) can be used to attach the cremaster to paper or cloth/string which can then be hung in the emerging cage.

Most butterflies will also happily emerge from a pupa lying on the bottom of the cage and then crawl up the side to expand their wings. Occasionally the butterfly's wings get trapped inside the pupal case, and because it is not attached to anything they cannot pull the wing out.

Adam.

I have used super glue quite recently with pupae of the Glanville Fritillary(Melitaea cinxia). Three emerged successfully earlier today.

Thanks to everyone, who replied.
As I said, I used Elmer's glue. So far the chrysalides look fine.
I'll update you on the results.

It is a common practice here in Japan to use Polyvinyl acetate glue, like Elmer's glue, to stick pupae of lycaenids on a piece of paper. The picture shows empty cases of Chrysozephyrus ataxus, Artopoetes pryeri, and Favonius cognatus. They all successfully emerged. It didn't cause any harm to the pupae.

Kuni

Thanks, Kuni
Both leps successfully eclosed from the chrysalids glued by Elmer's.
Sergey

Hi Sergey,
Good to hear everything went well.
Kuni