Monarch caterpillars!

[DeafOrchidLover]

I am outside, collecting and want to save as many as I can. Lots of milkweeds around that I can collect daily... Will make cagerpillar and butterfly net house. Pretty good size. That's my project I will make this afternoon... Exciting. My childhood hobby long time ago, I cannot believe I'm seeing it again after more than 30 years ago....


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[emg53]

I have been rescuing monarch cats for about three years. I found several yesterday and put them in my protected screen boxes 4X4X4. I have very little wild milkweed here so I grow the plans in 2 gal pots and I can move them into the protected screen boxes and change them out when the cats eat the plant. We pretty much have monarch and queen cats all year long.

[Subrosa]

For those who are interested in planting with Monarchs in mind an often overlooked consideration is plants which provide a nectar source for adults. I strongly recommend a marginal plant sold for pond called Water Snowball, Gymnocoronis spilanthoides. We grow and sell it at work, and every single Monarch I saw last year was on those plants!

[No-Pro-mwa]

You go.Way to save the Monarchs.

[DeafOrchidLover]

Thank you all very much! I'm bit concerned. What kind of screen should I use? Metal or plastic? Hmm thank you all again. My husband thinks I'm nuts cuz I did collected as much as I could ha ha ... Found few medium ones...


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[Leafmite]

I also have raised Monarchs for many, many years. I grow milkweed with the herbs. Monarchs also like the flowers of many of the mint family as well as some of the other herbs I grow. I try to always have things blooming in the garden for the butterflies and the bees.
Right now, the Monarch population is struggling so it is very good to hear that people are seeing them and helping them.

---------- Post added at 11:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 PM ----------

I raise mine in plastic aquariums laid on the side with a paper towel over the open part, held with a large elastic band. When the butterfly emerges, give it time (at least an hour after it 'pumps up' the wings) for the wings to dry and then gently place your finger under the 'belly' between the legs and it will step upon your finger and let you take it outside to put on a flower.

---------- Post added at 11:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:32 PM ----------

I usually put just one cat. in each container.

[desertanimal]

Any good milkweed suppliers? I haven't had an easy time finding plants, and the growing season is so short here in MA that I don't want to start seeds. Plus, I only grow in 5 gal buckets.

[Leafmite]

You could always call around to anyone who sells native plants. Some wilderness centers might be helpful, too. Currently, there is a movement to try to save the Monarch (Finally!) so you should have better luck getting your hands on the plant.

[gngrhill]

We have quite a bit of milkweed in season. I am not familiar with monarch caterpillers, but I would never have guessed that little green creature would become a monarch. I will have to watch for them this summer. Our only problem is all the milkweed is growing in the horse pastures and milk weed can be toxic to horses if they eat it. We usually cut it off when it flowers, but I will save some from the mower this year.

[camille1585]

Reminds me of my childhood in the US. Along one side of the driveway, instead of having a hedge or nice bedding plants, my parents kept milkweed. I loved going out to see the caterpillars and see the adults fluttering about.
Sadly they (and milkweed) don't exist in Europe, otherwise I'd be trying to help them too. I'm an entomologist, so am fascinated by these creatures.