skip to main content

Butterfly Garden

Raising Monarchs from eggs

angelimperfect36

9 years ago

I have a question. I have been succesfful on grabbing the baby caterpillars from the plants into the butterfly cage to protect them from predators. But right now, I would like to try to raise them from eggs. I have 30 eggs right now that I brought in the house. Two weeks ago I had 20 only 5 hatched the rest didnt hatch at all? So I am confused why? I would like some input on how to make this successful! It's almost August!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

BERGER123
9 years ago
Hi
Do they have a dark spot at the top?
Jacob
angelimperfect36
Original Author
9 years ago
I am not sure what you mean. They are all white eggs right now meaning they are fairly new just laid. I have maybe two more that are all black.
Related Discussions
Raising Monarchs from Kit
Q
Comments (2)
Those kits usually contain enough food for four or so mature caterpillars. (More commonly, you'll find Painted Lady kits.) The idea is to provide for returning ELFs and future generations. Have plenty of native Milkweed planted on hand. Be wary of purchasing Milkweed in Big Box stores and nurseries that may use pesticides. You're better off driving out to the country and collecting your own Milkweed. You may even find some caterpillars to raise. Also, have plenty of nectar plants on hand that correspond with their migration, such as Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia)
...See More
13 Monarch Eggs!!!
Q
Comments (19)
Hi Docmom, congrats on your eggs! That is an interesting milkweed, and I don't think it's A. syriaca. Most of the A syriaca I see has fatter leaves, farther apart on the stem, and it doesn't grow in such close groupings (such as astute botanical analysis, huh? lol). I wonder what it is? I actually have 5 small 2nd instar caterpillars myself right now. It is very exciting, since last year I had nary an egg or cat! But a female came through the garden and laid eggs on the A. incarnata seedlings, and one of the small A. syriaca shoots, totally ignoring my larger plants. Yes in my experience they do prefer the smaller plants. I am hoping we will get more Monarch activity in August, and maybe one of these babies will be a female who leaves me lots of eggs?
...See More
Is This a Monarch Egg?
Q
Comments (4)
Betty, This looks like a Monarch egg to me. A big 'Congratulations' for spotting it. I finally had a visit from a mama Monarch yesterday. I've collected 14 eggs but she returned later yesterday and laid more. This morning she's busy up on the deck, laying eggs all over the potted milkweeds. Bless her heart, there must not be much MW around for her to use. She's even laid eggs on the native orange milkweed I grow for the nectar. I've read this is a plant not normally preferred for egg laying. Good luck with the little egg. Are you planning on taking it inside to raise? ~Mary
...See More
Almost Hate To Ask...
Q
Comments (27)
Kato b thanks for that-you should be seeing a lot more Monarchs soon. The past three days I have released six a day. Today when I get home from work I have five more waiting that were born before I left. I found tons and they found me. Have you walked the Pittston River Park yet? I work right there so everyday I go for a walk before I go home and I see quite a bit of butterflies. Mostly Monarchs but a few C Whites. There is Milkweed all over the place by the river so they know where to go. Next year i'm going to have some more host plants in my garden so hopefully it will work. I've already bought Spicebush and Sassafras for the Spicebush Swallowtails. I'm going to add Hops Vine with more Dutchmans Pipe, Violets and Willow(I just can't decided which type yet) Have you also visited Perennial Point for flowers? They have a great selection and they don't use chemicals. They aslso sell alot of Butterfly flowers, like Dutchmans Pipe and Willow and things. Nice place. Well hopefully next year will be better. Aggie
...See More
wifey2mikey
9 years ago
Sometimes the eggs simply aren't fertile. It may not have anything to do with anything you have or haven't done. Hopefully you'll have more success with this batch.

~Laura
terrene
9 years ago
Angel, in my experience a few eggs won't hatch, but most should (90%+).

Here's what I do with eggs. I collect part or all of the leaf that the egg is laid on. I use shoe-box size clear plastic containers, and line the bottom with damp paper towel - not dry, not overly moist, just damp. Then lay the leaves out on the paper towel with the egg side UP. The towel will dry out with time, so periodically spritz lightly with water as needed. Again it should be DAMP, not sopping wet. You don't want the egg to sit in water, or for the towel/leaf to mold.

The moist paper towel will keep the leaf from drying out and help keep it fresh. Approx. 4 days after the egg is laid, it will start to turn dark grey. The baby cat comes out and will eat the eggshell. Then it will start to munch on the leaf. Usually they go hide under the leaf. If the leaf is in bad shape, sometimes they will travel to another leaf or up the side of the container. Watch them closely. They can be transferred to fresh foliage by moving the leaf to new milkweed cuttings. They will move over to fresh foliage when they're ready.
angelimperfect36
Original Author
9 years ago
That is what I did on the last batch. I was able to have 5 hatches but the rest just died along. So I am hoping that this time it will all hatch! So you're saying that the eggs only last 4 days then itll hatch?

Christina
terrene
9 years ago
Yes, the eggs will incubate for approximately 4 days. They start to darken, turn dark grey, and the baby cat comes out. Occasionally the process will fail, and the egg won't hatch successfully. My guess that is probably due to genetic defects. But in my experience that is only 1 out of every 10 eggs, or so.

I'm not sure what else would cause you to have failure with so many eggs - you said you only got 5 out of 20 to hatch? That is a 75% failure rate. Must be something going on!

Related Stories

FALL GARDENING What Monarch Butterflies Taught Me About Garden Design

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Thinking like a butterfly leads to fresh perspectives in the garden and in life

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Be a Butterfly Savior — Garden for the Monarchs

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Keep hope, beauty and kindness alive in the landscape by providing a refuge for these threatened enchanters

FARM YOUR YARD Collecting Rainwater and Eggs From a California Chicken Coop

By Becky Harris

See how a butterfly roof helps a hen home’s design soar into double-duty territory

DECORATING GUIDES The Enduring Appeal of the Egg Basket

By Mary Jo Bowling

Hardworking wire baskets are flying the coop for a life inside, appearing as storage, organizers and decor

COLOR PALETTES Easter Egg Inspiration: 9 Great Ways to Use Pastels

By Becky Harris

Mint green, light aqua, pale pink, blossom yellow and soft lavender can bring spring beauty into your home

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Raise Backyard Chickens Without Ruffling Neighbors' Feathers

Before you build a coop in the backyard, follow these strategies to help keep your neighbors from squawking

MOST POPULAR 16 Ways to Get More From Your Small Backyard

By Mitchell Parker

Make a tight or awkward yard a real destination with these design tricks from the pros

INSPIRING GARDENS What We Can Learn From Longwood Gardens’ New Meadow

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Sustainability, ecology, native plant communities ... this public garden is brimming with lessons on horticulture for home gardeners

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A 'Portlandia' Home Raises an Eyebrow

By Vanessa Brunner

Cable TV came calling for this quirky home in Oregon, and it played its spaceship part to a T

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

Sponsored

Schlabach Woodworks

16 Reviews

Franklin County's Reclaimed Wood Professionals

More Discussions

?what to do with this little guy?

3