After the swallowtail cats get big and fat and finish eating my bronze fennel where do they go to form a cocoon? I watched one climb down, cross the driveway and come back and then disappear in the undergrowth. I see plenty of cats but no cocoons anywhere near. Do I need to plant something near to help them form cocoons?
Pixie
Swallowtail cats
Pixie...try putting up a section of wire mesh or a large branch with leaves so they can hide. The giant swallowtails that use citrus trees as larval hosts pupate on the citrus branches - they are so camouflaged too. I didn't want to lose any of the black swallowtail cats that were feeding on my rue, fennel and parsley so when they started getting restless I brought them inside. Also brought in some potted plants so they could continue to feed on.
~ Cat
Woodlandpixie,
My husband made me a wood and screened enclosure for me to raise my caterpillars in. When they get ready to pupate/cocoon I put them in a mesh pop up hamper. I got my hamper at Lowes. I put sticks in it for the cats to attach to. The hamper is easy to carry around. I get to watch the cats pupate close up and emerge. I think any bug box would do the job as long as it is big enough for the butterfly to emerge and set its wings.
Good Luck and Happy butterflying!!!
Sam
Equilibrium
Mar 22, 2006
I'd love to see photos of all of your set ups for cats.
Me too please.
Me three. Pixie
You'd be amazed at how far a cat will crawl before it makes it's chrysalis! (butterflies make a chrysalis and moths make cocoons) I started bringing mine in a few years ago to pupate but have seen them go all the way across my yard, which is like around the world for them. I've had them just walk around and around the cage all day too, like they were going somewhere. Then they'd find a stick or a part of the cage and attach to it. Funny little creatures!
Oh Sam, thanks for reminding me about those hampers! I just posted that I needed to make me a new box to raise cats in but I need something new for them to eclose in. Is this the hamper that has a zipper top on it?
I've got a wooden box with 3 screen sides and one plexiglass side, pop-up hampers with no lid, small mesh bug huts, an aquarium and a "cage" made from net and embroidery hoops. They all work well for usually one stage but I'd love to have something more efficient.