My First Took Flight...
Jul 19, 2018 12:31:32 #
Jul 19, 2018 12:47:01 #
Soon you'll be an empty nester. What a rewarding adventure this has been for you and fun for us to see your lovely documentation.
Jul 19, 2018 12:49:04 #
I am keeping my fingers crossed Angela, for yours and mine. I have several eggs, and a few that are getting a little bigger. The aphids are mostly gone. Congratulations on the boy. YaY!
Jul 19, 2018 13:26:36 #
DJD wrote:
I did not raise them indoors (not sure what I'd put the cats in?). The cats emerge from my milkweed plant and kind of go all over in the patio for from the chrysalis. I helped many from just "lounging" on the patio concrete to a spot were others have successfully emerged. A lot of the cats were thin, and eventually turned black. And a lot did not emerge from their chrysalis. I did not keep count on the successful ones, but probably between 5-10. How do you raise them indoors?
Last year, being a first timer, it was all make shift... I used a clear bucket to keep them in and always gave fresh leaves.... when they went into pupa, I moved them to a larger plastic container, dated when they transformed and waited patiently for them to emerge... this year, I collected so many eggs, so I bought a butterfly cage on amazon, thinking it would be easier.... but same as you, when the eggs hatched the tiny cats looked so thin when i spotted them dead.... right now I have about 8 tiny ones that look like they're doing well and a couple close to the last instar. But I collected so many eggs this year, I ran out and bought another plant thinking I'd run out of food... it won't go to waste, I'll plant it near the others. Did spot a monarch in the garden this morning, so maybe I'll find more eggs, but I think I'll keep them outside until they are big enough to handle before I bring them in.
There's lots of wonderful videos on youtube explaining how to raise them from the egg.
Good luck with yours!!
Jul 19, 2018 13:27:31 #
Treepusher wrote:
Congrats on the new adult!
Thanks, Randy... I feel like the proud Grand-Butter!!
Jul 19, 2018 13:29:07 #
vicksart wrote:
Soon you'll be an empty nester. What a rewarding adventure this has been for you and fun for us to see your lovely documentation.
Far from being an empty nester.... I have more tiny cats to feed after the three remaining in chrysalis take flight!!
Glad you enjoyed this process, Vicki... I do feel honored to be able to help them!!
Jul 19, 2018 13:30:12 #
SpyderJan wrote:
I am keeping my fingers crossed Angela, for yours and mine. I have several eggs, and a few that are getting a little bigger. The aphids are mostly gone. Congratulations on the boy. YaY!
Thanks so much, Jan and congrats on your growing family!!! Keep me posted... how'd you get rid of the aphids, did you smash like I did!! lol... YUCK!!!!
Jul 19, 2018 14:11:27 #
angela k wrote:
Thanks so much, Jan and congrats on your growing family!!! Keep me posted... how'd you get rid of the aphids, did you smash like I did!! lol... YUCK!!!!
I tried a few things to get rid of them Angela. This morning they were all gone. Maybe the rain washed them off.
Jul 19, 2018 14:16:37 #
Jul 19, 2018 14:22:16 #
angela k wrote:
...and it's a boy!
I have 5 monarchs cats all hanging in their chrysalis... I found this one this morning ready to take flight...
3 more to go because sadly one didn't make it, it turned black right after going into chrysalis.
I don't know what's going wrong this year, but right after the little eggs hatch, a lot of the tiny cats died.... so I don't think I'll be anywhere near the 23 I released last year... :-(
I have 5 monarchs cats all hanging in their chrysalis... I found this one this morning ready to take flight...
3 more to go because sadly one didn't make it, it turned black right after going into chrysalis.
I don't know what's going wrong this year, but right after the little eggs hatch, a lot of the tiny cats died.... so I don't think I'll be anywhere near the 23 I released last year... :-(
Great shots angela, and congrats on helping these beauties, hope more hatch
Jul 19, 2018 14:25:54 #
Jul 19, 2018 14:58:56 #
SpyderJan wrote:
I tried a few things to get rid of them Angela. This morning they were all gone. Maybe the rain washed them off.
That's a good thing!! Don't forget, there's always rubber gloves!! lol..
This morning a monarch landed on the new plant we bought, I saw her laying eggs, but it took me forever to find one... I'm leaving it on and I just marked the leaf to watch the progress, maybe it won't die if it's outside.
Jul 19, 2018 14:59:41 #
UTMike wrote:
The Butterfly Queen rides again!
LOL... thanks, Mike!! 3 more to take flight any day now!!
Jul 19, 2018 15:00:42 #
gregoryd45 wrote:
Great shots angela, and congrats on helping these beauties, hope more hatch
Many thanks, Gregory... I spotted an egg on the new plant we bought, so I marked the leaf to watch it's development, maybe if it's outside, it won't die.
Jul 19, 2018 15:02:03 #
JoAnneK01 wrote:
A beautiful set. Mahalo for sharing.
Mahalo, JoAnne and thank you for your visit and lovely comment.... they are much appreciated and glad you liked!!
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