CLOSED: Monarch larvae - does anyone know how to take care of them?

butterflybuddy Westford, MA Aug 23, 2008

Hi
I recently found a pretty big monarch caterpillar/larva, and put it in a small bug container at my house. My family wants me to watch it cocoon, but I have no idea on how to feed it! so far it hasn't eaten anything.

If I can't feed it, I will release back into the wild, but it would be really nice to keep...

thanks!!

Post #5457166

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TexasPuddyPrint Edinburg, TX Aug 25, 2008

Feed it milkweed leaves. There are numerous Asclepias species they will use as larval hosts.

Check out Tdogmom's (Sherry) website for gobs of information on raising Monarchs.

http://www.mymonarchguide.com/

~ Cat

Post #5463513

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butterflybuddy Westford, MA Aug 25, 2008

Thanks!!

It was a false alarm though.. the reason it wasn't eating showed up yesterday morning... there was a cocoon in the container!!! Now our cats watch and wait for it to open up, but I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon....
Good advice, though!

Here's a picture of Pat

Post #5465432

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TexasPuddyPrint Edinburg, TX Aug 26, 2008

Glad to hear it!!! Not sure what your climate is like but they take from 7 to 10 days to eclose here as we pretty much have warm weather all year long. Have fun releasing the new butterfly :o)

~ Cat

Post #5468188

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butterflybuddy Westford, MA Aug 31, 2008

Thanks!

:-)

Post #5490100

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