Monarch caterpillars, advice needed

[snoozer]

I know someone who will put them in the plastic shoe boxes with vent holes drilled and screen glue to the top so they have somewhere to hang. She picks milkweed leaves and puts in the box with the caterpillars. Found this from the University of Minnesota, https://monarchlab.org/biology-and-research/monarch-rearing/making-a-rearing-cage/
Good luck. I had a couple on the wild milkweed in the yard but they were gone when i looked today.

 

[Gordo33]

https://www.monarchwatch.org/
Found this web site. Has a ton of info

 

[addy1]

Thanks you all. I have sort of decided to let them do what they do. I am going to plant more of the milkweed for the bugs next year. I checked yesterday, the big ones have moved on the small ones are still munching.

 

[mrsclem]

A couple of my full size ones are now attached and hanging so cocoons soon. 3 beds of milkweed gone and the deer came in last night and chewed down the weeds! I guess its true that the native plants are deer resistant.

 

[mrsclem]

I did some research and found the adult caterpillars will eat pumpkin and cucumbers! Too early for pumpkin but going to try the cucumbers. Butternut squash also works

 

[Mmathis]

Is it only the folks up north who are getting Monarchs? When I was a kid, I remember they came through in groves, but I don’t see them any more. Of course, the fact that my Swamp Milkweed isn’t doing well could be a factor, but still — I loved the Monarch migrations!

 

[mrsclem]

Fresh cucumbers and butternut squash- tasty!

 

[j.w]

I don't hardly ever see one here. Just the Yellow and black striped Swallowtails. They get a ton of them traveling through California.

 

[mrsclem]

That was all we usually got here. Thought I would see if I could lure some of the ones that migrate thru the state park 60 miles south of here. Think I overdid it!

 

[j.w]

Your camp ground is better @mrsclem , free food, all you can eat buffet

 

[addy1]

Good idea! I will put out some stuff for them to munch on.