After the success of others, I had brought in a GF cat that I saw on my Passion Vine a few weeks ago. I wasn't sure about what I was doing because my three Swallowtail eggs didn't make it through the second instar. But I tried again, and I am so glad I did! This little fellow greeted me last night when I came home!
Congrats Sheila! It sure didn't know today wasn't the best day to eclose! You'll have to keep it inside until tomorrow, at least. I brought in about 18 cats.
Congrats Sheila, he's a beauty!
Congratulations! They truly are some of the most beautiful butterflies. I've enjoyed them immensely in the short time I've been addicted to this passion of flutterbying.
Each morning I see several in my backyard. I can't help but think that they're hanging around because they know I love them. There's still plenty of blooms on the lantana and the cannas for them to nectar on. It's supposed to get cold here this afternoon though, so I've been telling them to "Go South Young Men! Stay Warm! Come back in the Spring!" There are still plenty of chrysalises hanging in there.
I've got several Monarchs that are getting HUGE! Once they go to the top and do their thing, will they stay until Spring? Or will I have to rush them out the door on their way to Mexico? I'm starting to fret here. Time for some hair color! :-/
Thanks all!
Paige, will it be ok with the flowers I brought in? Lantana a zinnia, and Milkweed blooms; or do I need to give it something else? I put a cotton ball with sugar water like I would give hummers out too.
I played hookie today from work, but if I need to get out and get the bf something, that won't be a problem. LOL!
If it won't eat from any of that then it's just being too picky! I've had them not eat but I'd just leave it and let it try to figure it out.
It did use it's probsus on the cotton ball when I pursuaded. This has been a neat experience for my first success. I will look forward to working with more next year.
This is a pic I took the day when I cam home to the chrysalis. It was on a limb from my pear tree I had put in because I read somewhere they would use a limb of a plant close to their host plant. The vines I had for him were not sturdy enough I guess. As soon as he got on those, he became lethargic and then went to the "J" formation the next day. I kept it misted like one of you had said, and it would move occassionally as I applied the moisture. Yesterday I came in to mist it, and noticed an orange spot on the towel at the bottom of the cage under the chrysalis. I thought at first he had sprung a leak and was a goner. But was thrilled to see him at the top of the net with all his appendages!
Sheila - I have raised a number of Monarch butterflies through their life cycle using fruit flavored gatorade. The gatorade has minerals and electrolites in it, so it is good for the butterflies from what I have been told. But I did notice that once I picked a flavor of gaterade, I had to stick with it. They wouldn't drink a different flavor.
The monarchs will pupate and eclose in their usual + or - 9 days and then you have to hope for warm weather. It may not happen until spring. I fed my little one, that had a malformed wing, the lemonade Gatorade. He lived for about 4 weeks and finally passed. He wouldn't sip from flowers I put in with him, he only wanted the Gatorade. I had one eclose today and am going to feed him TPP's famous 'brew' with the gatorade for some variety. It's so very cold here I don't know if or when I can release him.
We were in the high 70's last week, wish it would have happened then. This cold spell may not last long, then if I release it, will it automatically start migrating? If not then it would be a most certain death.
