Hi there, Sorry about your chrysalis.

It could have been injured by the fall, or it could be OE (a parasite that can turn the chrysalis black) or some other parasite.

Can you see any of the wing colors through the chrysalis? They are often also visible just before emerging.

They detach sometimes, and you can leave them on the bottom of the cage. I set a clean paper towel down for it lie on. The butterfly will emerge and climb up the cage (be sure there is something for it to climb up if your rearing cage is glass, like an aquarium. I have done this many times, and the butterflies emerge perfectly. Easier and less risky than trying to rehang it.

I also make sure that the gold spots are up since those seem to be the spiracles (little holes for breathing) based on a scientist's MRI imaging of a Monarch chrysalis.

Good luck with your other butterflies! And thank you for rearing them. Does your library have a butterfly garden?

I had one fall to the floor and turn black the next day, also. It had died from the fall. Whether it survives can depend on how far it fell, and how much the chrysalis had hardened before the fall. If yours has turned black already, I'm afraid it may have died. I hope you have more than just the one. It is a wonderful experience for kids to see the whole process.

Martha

About how old was the chrysalis when it fell? If it were mine, I would simply leave it lying and see what happens. I've had plenty of BST's fall, and I'd leave them lying, and they eclosed without any problems.