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We have a Monarch catepillar that went into the J stage but then it got knocked off, so I tied it back up using sewing thread. I really did not think it would live after being knocked of it's silk button but it went into the next stage just fine but when it did it came loose since the thread was attached only to the old catipillar skin. It is now laying on tissue paper on the bottom of our cage. It only 'fell' about 3 inches and had a very soft landing, so I'm sure the fall did not hurt it. Any ideas about what to do? Will it be ok not hanging upside down? I have heard that you can use super glue to close human cuts that might require stitches, so would it work to put a dot of glue on the end of it and 'rehang' it?
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In order to tie up a chrysalis you should use thread just as you did before and loop it around the cremaster, or black region at the top of the chrysalis. You can use tape to fasten the ends of the thread to the top of your container.
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What are a group of catepillars called and a group of butterflies called?
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Monarchs are solitary insects and do not function as a group. They do cluster to form colonies when they travel south to overwinter. caterpillars are generally not found in groups as there are usually only a few if any per milkweed plant.
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Next year I would like to turn my 24 x 24 foot all screen room into a butterfly sanctuary. What will I need to have to sustain the full life cycle? I want to tag and release in the fall.
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Monarch caterpillars rely on milkweed to survive. Eggs are only laid on milkweed plants and monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed plants. You can plant asclepias currasavica (tropical milkweed), it generally grows well in a greenhouse. Common milkweed and swamp milkweed are other kinds of milkweed that work well for raising monarchs. Adults need either nectaring flowers or a source of honey water. We use a 20% honey to water solution and saturate a sponge in a small dish to feed butterflies in a butterfly sanctuary.
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I am raising Monarchs and will tag and release on Aug. 29. I have 14 butterflies and have been feeding by hand for 2 days. How many times a day should I feed? Is it practical to think I can keep these 14 alive til the 29th? I have 2 dozen chrysalises as well as many caterpillars.
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We generally keep our adults in a cool incubator and feed them once a week. If you keep them in room temperature they need to be fed every other day.
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I have a caterpillar that has tried to attach itself to the roof of a cardboard box, but only managed to attach one foot onto the silk mound with the other hanging. Is there a problem with using cardboard boxes or did the caterpillar simply fail to attach itself properly?
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Caterpillars have prolegs. It sounds as if your caterpillar might be "J"ing. They do this before they pupate and attach their last set of prolegs to the top of the cage using silk. They will then pupate and form a chrysalis. Cardboard should be a sufficient surface for them to attach to while pupating.
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