Hi!
After reading these threads I decided to make my own butterfly box. I have a critter keeper (like a plastic aquarium with a netted lid). I put some twigs and two parsley plants that are in small pots. I have 5 cats there. They are striped yellow, black and green with orange antennas ( I have no idea what type of butterflies they are).
Should i spray the parsley with water for them to drink? Is my set up correct? Do I need any more things in it?
Thank you.
butterfly box
Spider ,you seem to be on the right track.You can spray if you want but the one thing to watch out for is fungus and virrus causing your cats to become affected .This happens more in the Monarch then the BST's(Black Swallowtail),which is what you have discribed having.They will go thru alot of parsley before turning into chrysalis.Try to be there when they change it's one of those things in life that you will never forget.
Don
thank you very much Don.
Spider,
Sounds like you have Eastern Black Swallowtail cats...parsley is one of their larval host plants.
Have you looked over the post about cat houses?
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/643281/
I use wet floral foam to hold cuttings and leaves - it keeps them moist without leaving any standing water for cats to drown in.
~ Cat
update!!!!
4 of my 5 cats have started metamorphosis.
I have a question. Do you clean their poop?How?
Cat,
Thanks for posting the link I was looking for a thread like that.
Spider07.
I put a paper towel under my cats and change them daily. I'm going to post pics of my cages in the other thread because this is my first year doing it and I need help!
Maureen