Is my caterpillar still alive? It has been in a cocoon for over 2 weeks now.?

Question

It's legs have come off its body and the base of its body is thicker than it use to be but it does not seem to have changed in several days.

Answer 1

i dont know what species, but normally it takes at least SEVERAL weeks for the butterfly to hatch, so be patient, take care it doesnt either get moldy or dry out,in the wild, the air humitity is higher than indoors, you know. too hot weather may kill it for sure.

Answer 2

Many species of moths/butterflies can have a pupal stage that can last for several months. Dont worry if your caterpillar went into its cocoon then it is probably okay, it just needs time to develop. I had a Cecropia moth caterpillar that went into pupation and it only emerged about 6 months later.
The best thing to do is toput it outside in a very breathable container, putting it in the shade would be best. This way, it is exposed to the same temperatures it would expereince in the wild, make sure it doesn't get too wet or overly exposed to the sun because it could die. I kept my Cecropia in a shed, and it eventually emerged, but it also overwintered, so it took a while.
Just be patient, sometimes patience breeds great rewards, have a look at the beautiful specimen that emerged form the grotesque little caterpillar I found.
If you handle them, they will most likely move about, especially the smaller end, where the abdomen will develop. This is a sure sign that the developing pupa is still alive, but this method only works for certain species, and should not be the only way to determine if it is still alive or not.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

There is a way to find out whether it is still alive:
GENTLY squeeze both sides of the "thicker part" of the cocoon, where you see a hint of (future) wings. The "thinner part" should wiggle a bit.

Answer 4

Yes it is still alive, it is going through a stage that even takes months.