I posted another thread trying to figure out if Milkweed Bug was responsible for my rapidly declining population of Queen and Monarch caterpillars, and found out they are totally innocent. While deadheading my stand of milkweek just a few minutes ago, I saw a wasp swoop down and begin devouring the "skin" of one of my medium-sized Monarchs! I'm so upset...I had no idea wasps preyed on caterpillars. I looked all around the eaves of my house, and sure enough found an active (small) colony of wasps building a new home. I don't have any wasp killer, but did have some Safer brand Ant & Roach Killer that I sprayed the little bastards with! They all fell on the ground, so I ran away for a few minutes, and when I came back couldn't really find any of them (I hope it kills them anyway). I just hope this is the only nest; I guess I'll have to buy some wasp killer next time I go to Lowe's...I'm not one to use pesticides since I'm an organic gardener, but I don't know what else to do...advice, anyone?
Wasp Attack on my Monarchs!!!
Hi Emma: I'm in SW Orlando and had noticed my cats were disappearing... 20 one day, none that evening... no sign of chrysalis anywhere. I finally realized after reading some posts on DG that the wasps were getting them. I move a bunch of milkweed in pots into my screen in lanai... this was just last week. I now have over 30 chrysalis on the lanai cage horizontal ribs, some on pots, and I hunt them every evening.. and find them in very strange places- under chairs, on a Step 2 playhouse, those I move to a tomatoe cage. So far, I have found one Monarch that had emerged and he climbed on my finger & I released him outside onto some Pentas... he hung around for a few hours. I have a few nectar plants in the lanai too. I had to purchase more milkweed Wednesday because they defoliated what I did have.
I also have seeds planted.. but it is not growing fast enough. - I have modified the area a bit. Plants are on wire closet shelving.
Come Visit.. :0
Ruth
camera is in Vegas with hubby.. I'll have new pics on Sunday.
Ruth
Thank you for that advice, Ruth! My screened porch is the way my felines get into their outdoor enclosure, but I may have to figure out something similar to this too. That is a great idea to move them to your lanai. My Gulf Fritillarias and Black Eastern Swallows are also disappearing, but I don't know if they're all molting right now or also being attacked by the wasps.
I wonder if there are ways to trap wasps? I've seen bee traps before, but I like my bees and don't want to hurt them. I may need to make a trip to Lowe's, unless someone knows of a way to get rid of the wicked little creatures! I'm not one to normally feel such vehemence towards any wildlife, but this massacre is unacceptable!
I'm trying to get to the root of the problem by hanging a wasp trap (http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1007970/). Hopefully it will work!!!!!