Monarch butterflies

[Kalandra]

As some of you may know I love monarch butterflies. Last year, I started planting milkweed plants to help encourage them into my yard. I also started raising caterpillars, successfully rearing and releasing 4. This year I added a 50 sq ft monarch garden, including 3 species of milkweed and 4 species of nectar plants along with other plants in my yard we have had a good year so far.

At this point in time I have brought inside 10 caterpillars and 1 egg. Bringing them in helps ensure that the caterpillars can grow up with fewer losses. As of today I have 10 chrysalises and one 2-3 day old caterpillar. My first butterfly is due to emerge today/tonight. I have been sharing this story with those that frequent the chat room and it is a very exciting time for me. If you have ever witnessed the amazing transformations caterpillars make to become butterflies you will understand.

First 2 images are of caterpillar 1, taken the day before he transformed into his chrysalis, image 3 is of him in his chrysalis. See all the cool gold markings? This was taken last night, day 9 in this stage. The last image is of the baby caterpillar. The leaf he is on is the size of the palm of my hand.

Caterpillar #1 was easily upset. If you changed his leaves, he would go on 'walk about' exploring the cage and finally coming back to the leaves to feed. #1 also took forever to find just the right spot in the cage to transform (as you can see by image #3 4 others liked that spot too, he picked the best spot). Anyone want to take guesses on its sex? I won't know until he emerges as a butterfly.

 

[Essentia]

I'm almost as excited as you are! I love butterflies. I would love to do this as well, but I have a lot of research to do. I have never even seen a monarch here in FL, so I don't believe they are native here. I may have to choose a different butterfly. Either way, fun stuff.

 

[lauralynne]

Awesome! We did something similar to this in 6th grade Science many moons ago!

 

[mishellyshel]

that is so cool. thanks for sharing. i love butterflies too, especially since my last name in Italian means butterfly!!!

 

[menagerie]

I love butterflies. In April I went to the Butterfly Jungle exhibit at the San Diego Wild Animal Park just to take photos. Next year I will go earlier in the exhibit as I hear there are more butterflies the earlier you go.

Great photos Julie. I can't wait to see how he turns out.

 

[mishellyshel]

oohhh.............i went to the butterfly reserve in Niagara Falls a couple years ago. That was REALLY cool, got lots of great pix.

 

[tunes]

That caterpillar is gorgeous, so I can only imagine how beautiful he/she will be as a butterfly.

Great pics Julie!

 

[rach_leigh]

I love butterflies too...esp monarchs! They are beautiful!!

 

[Kalandra]

I'm hoping to get a good picture of them right before they emerge. The chrysalis becomes clear and you can see the butterfly inside! I hope you guys enjoy them. I've been talking about them so much in chat, I thought I better share!

 

[Laurie]

OOOH Jules this is SO exciting! We've been talking about these long awaited butterflies for quite some time in chat! This is the most exciting thing to happen to me in awhile! I'm glad I'm living butterfly dreams vicariously through you!

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

Oh, my GOD!!! How cool!!!

I, too, love butterflies!!! I can't wait to see ALL of your pictures as they (the butterflies -- pun NOT intended) develop -- sorry I don't usually come into the chat area, so this is the first I knew of your project. It is AMAZING!!!

 

[6Dusters]

Love your story! I have often thought of planting milkweed here as part of my garden. I live in Richmond Virginia. I planted my flower garden with many flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Can you send me a private note about where you got your milkweed? I see it growing along the roads and am often tempted to transplant it. When my brother and I were kids we would bring the chrysalis home and watch the whole experience. Then we would let them go.

A note to the person in Florida. I just came home from Sanibel Island Florida for two weeks. Saw the Monarch in the gardens there.

 

[Kalandra]

Oh I'll just post the seed information here in case anyone else wants it. To be honest, most of my milkweed are Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). I found a plant growing in the field next door and harvested some seed when it was ready. Just wait until fall when you see the seedpods turn their greyish color and start to open. It is also the type they seem to prefer. I found Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) seed in a local nursery and I planted Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) this year. I found them as young plants in a local all native plant nursery.


I haven't purchased seed from them, only tents for rearing, but http://www.livemonarch.com has milkweed seeds and will sell live plants.

 

[6Dusters]

Thanks! I know what next years project will be.

 

[Kalandra]

Well caterpillar #1 is taking his time. They have a 10-14 day window to emerge, all of the ones I had last year emerged in 10 days. This one is currently on day 11, but we are very close now. I can now see the wings through the chrysalis! Hopefully when I go check next we will have a butterfly.

Also brought in a new caterpillar today, #12. #12 is actually bigger than "baby." Found him on a young plant that was by itself. The plant only has 5 small leaves so he would have been looking for food real soon.

 

[menagerie]

WOW, I really want to raise some butterflies now. My great niece would LOVE to help.

*ponders if milkweed plants are available locally*

Julie, what are you raising them in? Is it one of those white mesh set ups? Would a black mesh set up work? I was given a couple of black mesh herp enclosures.

 

[Kalandra]

Its just a white mesh pop up tent with a zippered front. I bought it from Live monarch because I couldn't find one locally that I liked. But I raised them last year in one of those small plastic critter keepers. I think black would work, but it may be harder to see them. I was looking for a white pop up laundry hamper to retro fit with a zipper.

I'm certain milkweed is available locally. There seem to be species native to all areas of the US. In fact I know I have seen people post on the Monarch Watch forum from California.

 

[menagerie]

In fact I know I have seen people post on the Monarch Watch forum from California.

Monarch forum, do tell. I haven't had much luck finding detailed raising information on-line, just kits that say they include instructions. I'd like to know exactly what I'm getting myself into before I commit to anything.

How long does it take from egg to butterfly? What about from a caterpillar the size of the small one in your first post to cocoon? How long before the butterflies lay new eggs? Do you let them go immediately after they emerge or do you let them lay eggs for you?

I saw the Monarch and Painted Lady kits when I was looking for silkworms. I figured it was too late in the season to participate. I guess it's not.

 

[Laurie]

Come on butterfly! Come out and meet us!

 

[Kalandra]

Check out the website Monarch Watch (http://www.monarchwatch.com). Monarch watch is a program run out of the University of Kansas. It contains a lot of information about rearing and the life cycle of Monarchs. Monarch Watch also has a tagging program to track monarchs as they migrate for Mexico to Canada (and visa versa). Plus they have a forum. I've never joined but I do like reading it.

Eggs hatch in about 4 days. Caterpillar time varies, most of mine were ready for their next stage in about 2 weeks. Next they will form a J and stay that way for about 1 day. Next comes Pupa/chrysalis that takes about 10-14. After emerging they will be ready to mate somewhere after 1 week (I think).

I let all of mine go free. If they emerge by morning, I'll let them go in the evening. If in the evening, I'll wait until the next day. This gives them time to thoroughly dry their wings and be capable of flight. They won't have a need to feed for the first 24 hrs.

I figure if they like my garden then I will have more and life will go on.