Has my elephant Hawk Moth Chrysalis died?

[Frisky]

Since end of August last year I have kept 2 Elephant Hawk Moth Chrysalis. Everything was going well up until about 6 weeks ago when they suddenly stopped twitching. Are they dead? There is no movement at all. Any help is much appreciated as I love these little fellows (Harold and Dougal) so much and have seen them transfer from caterpillar to chrysalis and kept an eye on them and nurtured them for all these months.

[Dogghound]

They should really be emerging soon, there is a small chance that they are late. Are they in a cool area?

[Frisky]

Thank you for getting back to me. They are in a cool area now, but a few weeks ago when it was hot they were in the sun and that was the last time they twitched. To be honest I think they are dead and I am sad about this because after all these months of nurturing and waiting I feel I have let them down. I am hoping that they still hatch. What is the latest they can hatch?

[Dogghound]

If you had them in direct sunlight that is not very good for them and could have killed them. They will still emerge well into July, although where abouts in the country you are can govern emergence dates. They are a common species but I would still always only try and rear one to emergence to reduce damage to the local numbers.

[Frisky]

I live in Suffolk. I shall leave them be and see what happens, although I still think they are dead. I was intrigued when we found them in the garden late last summer as I had never seen them before. However, this year I will leave well alone. I found them amongst the fuchsias and didn't hold our much hope for them since we have a resident frog who lives amongst the plants. Thanks for your input - much appreciated.