Yippee! I am finally starting to see some results. This morning, I found a newly hatched monarch caterpillar. For the small ones, I like to use the type of container pictured. Salvation Army sells these for under two dollars each. Either cut a foot off the top of a large milkweed plant or pull up a small one like I did (plants are actually spreading to places where I would rather they not grow). Wash it off to make sure that ants and other predators drown or are washed off, then dry it off a bit and wrap a wet paper towel around the bottom. This will keep it moist and healthy for a day or so longer than putting in completely dry. The container will stand upside down.
After a few days, I will pull the milkweed and the larger caterpillar out of the bottom and move it to a larger converted aquarium container. Tiny caterpillars should not be kept in the same container as large ones.
The other photograph is of my three chrysalises. One looks black because the chrysalis is being absorbed by the almost fully-formed adult butterfly. When it emerges later today or tomorrow, I will post a picture.
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2 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Exciting!!
You must be fairly up north to be just now seeing babies!.
I like to use overturned square vases atop paper towels. On the paper towel, I place a saucer with a chunk of wet floral foam. I'll then insert the stem of a Milkweed top or leaf into this, and it will stay fresh for about 3 days or until eaten.
Larger in stars (5) I keep in an aquarium.
Leafhead
Level 8
June 19, 2018
0
Very similar techniques, especially the use of an aquarium for larger caterpillars. I have several aquariums so that I will always have a clean one. Also, I devote some of them to swallowtails. I have been fortunate enough to find used aquariums at thrift shops for only a few dollars each, so I see one, I snag it.
I live quite a bit further south than you in Springfield, Illinois. I believe the reason I do not get very many butterflies is because I live near the center of the city. Monarchs that migrate to this area generally end up in the more rural habitats around the outside of the city. I suspect that there is very little milkweed and other parts of the city, so it is a stretch for a monarch to even need to go into the city. I have dozens of milkweed plants in the front of my yard, side yard, backyard, near my garage, and up and down the alley. It does not seem to matter how much milkweed and flowering plants there are, I never see a monarch until at least the middle of June. Kind of frustrating, but when they do arrive, I will end up with around 100 raised and released.
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Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by LeafheadAsclepias sullivantii, the Sullivant's Prairie Milkweed. Taken at a way station in Middleton, WI
Posted by LeafheadCeropegia woodii Hoya carnosa Both plants bloom at night and attract lots of cool moths
Posted by LeafheadCeropegia woodii Hoya carnosa Both plants bloom at night and attract lots of cool moths
Posted by DAB456What kind is this? I think I know, but would like another opinion.
Posted by bigpawbulletsNot sure what these guys are. But suddenly we seem to be getting a few of them in the "Habitat":
Posted by bigpawbulletsSilly meme. But an attractive butterfly. Photoshopped or real?
Posted by MikeECI posted this earlier In the Gardeners group, but had actually intended to post it here. Those of you who are members of both groups get to see it twice ?
Posted by MikeECI posted this earlier In the Gardeners group, but had actually intended to post it here. Those of you who are members of both groups get to see it twice ?
Posted by LeafheadMy latest visitor to the feeder, a Hackberry Emperor
Posted by MikeECI managed to overwinter three Eastern black swallowtail chrysalises in my unheated garage and released them about a month ago.
Posted by MikeECI managed to overwinter three Eastern black swallowtail chrysalises in my unheated garage and released them about a month ago.
Posted by MikeECI managed to overwinter three Eastern black swallowtail chrysalises in my unheated garage and released them about a month ago.