Sandy, did you get email - Monarch cats in bag?

15 years ago

I have 7 Monarchs and want to get them plucked and brought inside before something gets them. They are all on bloodflower, but I don't have a lot - 2 medium plants and several small plants. Probably can buy more. I have a pink swamp milkweed, but it hasn't produced any flowers and the leaves are beginning to turn yellow.

Those of you raising them in plastic containers, do you put leaves on the bottom of container? Any words of wisdom between plastic containers and paper bags?

Sylvia

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Comments (2)

butterflymomok
15 years ago
Sylvia,

I got your email. Sorry I haven't responded. I'm dealing with a family situation and had to get mowing, etc, done so I could go out of town tomorrow.

As for your cats, your bigger cats are ready for paper bags. Put your cats in the bags and add 2 leaves per cat. You will need to keep a close eye out as to adding new leaves. I usually add leaves about 4 times a day. I use clothes pins to keep the bags closed after folding them over several times. I like using the lunch bags and putting up to 4 cats in a bag. I keep fresh leaves in the fridge for adding to the bags. Put the bags in a bright window so the cats will have light. Open bags carefully as when the cats start pupating, the silk may be between the two sides of the bag. I pull the silk apart very gently so I can put food in for those that haven't pupated. I try to match the cats as far as size, when I put them in bags, so they will pupate at approximately the same time.

I would keep your small cats in a container until you can count on them to eat the leaves quickly so the leaves don't dry out before they consume them. Use a small plastic dish with a lid that you can poke holes in to keep the food fresh, or use wet foam designed for making live flower arrangements. Keep the cats in a plastic shoe box or other plastic container. Cover with bridal tulle, sheer curtain fabric, or even the leg from an old pair of panty hose. Put paper towels on the bottom of the container to facilitate ease of cleaning. Clean out frass daily or more often as it accumulates. Frass in paper bags is easy to dump out.

When the cats in the paper bags have pupated. Cut around them and tape them to the sides of your mesh hamper. Use a towel as a cover to keep BFs from escaping before you get to see them and check them out. I've also used a piece of old curtain sheer that I attach to the top of the hamper with 4 clothes pins, one on each side.

Good luck,

Sandy
bluebirdms_z7ms
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for response. I put two 2" cats in plastic container last night to get an idea ot what they would eat overnight. This morning I moved to lunch bag with a nice netted window on front and back. Then I brought 6 more cats in. Two about 1.5", who will share an apartment with first two and four which range from a little under 1" to a little over 1". I have the mesh hampers and bridal net for pupa. This is really a pleasure! Better not see any flies with hairy butts around here!

I need to put more leaves in bag and dump frass. If I tip the sack upside down to dump, will cats hold on to bottom?
Looks like I'll find out by trying:) Talking about finding eggs, I haven't seen any Monarchs around here. They must be laying eggs when my back is turned.

Thanks to all who share advice.

Sylvia
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Sandy, did you get email - Monarch cats in bag?

Comments (2)

butterflymomok

bluebirdms_z7ms
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Sandy, did you get email - Monarch cats in bag?

Comments (2)

butterflymomok

bluebirdms_z7msOriginal Author

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bluebirdms_z7ms
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