:) I love it! Now, what do you have around the base to collect all the falling frass? ;P When we had a potted plant with Monarch cats in my classroom I remember all of the frass all around the base on the table...the kids would all say, "Look at the frass! What a mess!" So, we had paper towels under the plant tray as well!

imabirdnut, There is lots of info in the FAQ section of this forum for raising caterpillars. I purchased several containers of animal crackers from Sams, they are about 1-1/2 gallon in size, for the container, not the animal crackers! After emptying out the container, I cut holes almost the size of each side, leaving about and inch or so all around to attach screen (the cats need ventilation) and to have some sturdiness for the cage. I try to use a single length of screen, but if I don't have enough, I use pieces to cover the holes. I attach the screen with silicone (bathtub caulk) so that it is waterproof when I need to disinfect the cage after the butterflies have emerged. (It is important to disinfect your cages after the butterflies have emerged-especially the monarchs, they are susceptible to viruses and OE spore.) I raise as many as 20 cats in one container, then disinfect when all have left, or at least those that attached themselves to the cage walls. BSTs usually attach themselves to sticks that I place in the cage in pieces of floral styrofoam that will fit inside the opening. I purchased some miniature vases from WalMart, about 3" in height, and use these for supplying food to my cats. The water in the vase helps keep the food fresh and keeps the cats off the floor of the cage and out of their waste. Hope this helps and remember, you can always come back to the forum and ask any question. The people here are great about sharing information and experiences. Mechelle Mechelle

I've been reading some research on the nasty little bugger and will add it to my website to corroborate what I've already posted. Tachinid Flies are just so disgusting, particularly when you SEE them out in your Milkweed patch! EEEWW! (you should hear me scream when I see them!) Scientists did studies on what 'stage' or instar was most likely to be parasitized, and like I personally found, it was the later instars! This is why it is best to gather those Monarch eggs right away if you plan on raising them. Fewer eggs were parasitized by the Tachinid Flies and the numbers slowly increase by instar. Later instars find more trouble with the buggers. I've found that it is best to keep those larvae I find as late instars completely separate from the 'young ones.' I also never put pupae into a habitat immediately. Instead, I watch and wait until just before the imago ecloses! This way, I can be certain that no obnoxious critter emerges from my lovely pupa...

I have had a few very small chrysalises in the garden on occaision and they have hatched into miniature monarchs. I have always wondered if these tinier versions are all complete and capable of reproduction and everything a normal monarch would be. As for temperature, it does have a great effect on hatch time of eggs and pupae, and growth rate of larva. In south florida when summertime temps are in the 90's and close to 80 at night, I have had pupae hatch in as little as 5-6 days. Especially the ones glued under the windowsills or eaves of the house where they also get the radiant heat from the concrete block walls. Dave