I have read everything here in the forum from you all -- I then went out and found tons of cats on my bronze fennel, parsley, and dill! I think they are eastern black swallowtail. I also have a little tiny monarch from my milkweed safely inside, not sure how he is doing though, he seems "off" and I fear some parasite or illness.
I am doing as I have learned here.... I bought some small glass votives and filled them with the wet floral foam, covered in press and stick to keep cats safe and the clippings fresh, set on top of a paper towel to change daily, mesh enclosures (pop up laundry things) and I wash my hands between each group. Also, I am very grateful to have read to keep the big ones in a different area from the little ones! They are indoors by windows, no direct sun and I have closed the AC vent overhead so it is more temperate. I have spritzed them with a very, very fine mist from afar a few times when it felt dry.
Any suggestions are very welcome as this is my first venture into this! I had no idea of the dangers these little ones faced out there. I am a bit nervous about the next few phases -- chrysalis. Also, the fear of parasites emerging. Yikes! This is so addicting and fun -- love to watch them. They grow so fast and are frass machines, lol!
Many thanks for the AMAZING pictures, lessons, and instructions -- many from virtual neighbors. : )
All post a few pics following.
My first Cats!
The biggest one at this point! He was found on dill.
and more!
more
more again!
last one for now!
Congrats, congrats!
The biggest one looks to be in its last instar!
Sherry
Yea!!! Great finds TX V!! I know you are enjoying your first time to raise cats; now you are hooked!
You mentioned you were concerned about the Monarch. They are a much slower caterpillar than the BST if it is that you are seeing.
Also no need to spritz caterpillars the plants are their moisture. The only one that might benefit are those chrysalis that you over winter. Don't fret over the chrysalis they will be fine. Just enjoy raising your first set of cats!!
Btw I noticed the pictures are a bit dark, you might try taking the cage out in the daylight for pictures.
And feel free to drop into the daily thread at any time with questions. I also tend to drop a lot of random wisdom in my posts there. Welcome to the addiction!
Melanie
Yep, Melanie is just full of it......er....random wisdom that is! LOL!
Sorry Melanie...but you left your self wide open for that one! lol!
ha ha you guys!!! Thanks so much! Too funny, Melanie and Sheila!
All the cats are growing and eating tons! It is incredible, even my DH is loving it, lol : ) I have 25, omg! There are new eggs outside as well. Yikes!
Sheila, I think the little monarch didn't make it. I know you said they are slower, but he as been in the same spot for too long for such a small one : ( No further evidence of eating.)
The pictures were actually taken at night, I'll have DH take some in the daylight soon.
Ha! Ha! I think Viola is hooked!!! :o)
Don't worry too much about the Monarch - am sure the day will come (VERY SOON) when you'll have so many monarch cats that you'll realize you can never have too much milkweed.
The BSTs are beautiful butterflies - you'll love spotting the difference between males and females when they eclose.
Enjoy!
~ Cat