Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: Pop Up Hamper for Monarch Caterpillars, 0 by adbjwb

adbjwb wrote:
Hello, butterfly lovers!

Somebody posted the idea of using a pop up hamper and I found one at the Dollar Tree this week. It was just in time, for when I walked in the house and glanced out the window, there was a Monarch caterpillar making its way across the back porch! I grabbed that hamper and popped it up in a hurry and went out to rescue the little creature before he could meet his demise. Once I placed it inside the hamper (which I positioned upside down in the shrub bed rather close to the house for some shade and protection from winds), the little fellow climbed right up to the top and immediately began cementing itself to the ceiling. This was the FIRST cat we've ever known to make it to this stage!

The next morning I went out to check on the situation and found the hamper exactly as it should be. I'd anchored it to the ground with cut off coat hangers and then placed a shredded bedsheet around the bottom and anchored it, too. I stepped away for one minute and then stepped right back in time to see the metamorphosis which only took one minute!! What an amazing transition!

A few minutes later I went to to check on the only other good sized caterpillar in the garden and found it halfway up the brick patio wall! I quickly rescued it and placed it in the cage. After playing dead for a ilttle while, it climbed up and cemented itself right beside the other chrysalis! This morning I was eager to get outside and, blessing upon blessing, was there in time to see this one do the amazing feat (which for him took 8.25 minutes)!

Many thanks to all of you who have shared ideas on this forum, and special thanks to whomever suggested the pop up clothes hamper! What a perfect and inexpensive way to offer some protection to the little creatures!