Monarch caterpillar intervention?

[u/hiccuppinghooter]

Hey all - I am in NY (6b), and I'm wondering if I anything I should or can do for this late season monarch caterpillar. Little buddy has been hanging out for two days straight on a post on my porch, and we've had cold temperatures the past two nights (down to the 40s). They visibly moved their head yesterday so I know they were alive then but have been in the same spot since Thursday. Both their head and rear are looking a little grayer than they were. They're far away from the top of the post, so if they traveled up there looking for a spot to hang from I think they took a wrong turn.

My general guideline is don't intervene for a wild animal unless absolutely necessary which is why I haven't done anything so far, but this post is right at my front door so I'm walking by multiple times a day and it's keeping the "should I try to help?" question more top of mind than it would be otherwise.

Is it worth trying to move them to a nearby milkweed? I can't tell if they're dead, in cold torpor, or potentially about to molt but taking extra long due to the low temperatures.

Thanks all!

[u/zoinkability]

Milkweed probably isn't what this caterpillar needs right now, they have likely stopped eating and have chosen this spot to do their metamorphosis. In fact they probably would not have left their milkweed until they were ready to do that. Right now thy are likely forming a chrysalis inside their skin — this head down position is typical for that. That may also be the grey appearance you are seeing.

[u/hiccuppinghooter → u/zoinkability]

Fingers crossed you're right! Thank you :)