Monarchs do Climb to the top of Plants (People)

[Mona Miller]

I was in my tent and decided to take a 5th instar caterpillar out. I thought I'd tuck it into my pocket of my shirt that has a velcro closure. I needed two hands to open my tent zipper. Well, I forgot that it was in there. I'm taking off my sun hat and feel something up there. The caterpillar has somehow climbed out of my pocket and made it up to the brim of my hat without me even noticing. They actually do climb up to the top of plants--I mean people.

[texas butterfly]

Funny story..... I've had a few escape lately and end up having to look for them.

[Mona Miller]

I don't know if you read about my hubby knocking over my container of pupae. Well, he didn't pick them all up. I've found two adults on the floor. When you rear a lot of Monarchs, they can end up some weird places. I once had one pupate on my coffee pot. We had to wait to make coffee until the pupa hardened.

[sbannister]

I was in my tent and decided to take a 5th instar caterpillar out. I thought I'd tuck it into my pocket of my shirt that has a velcro closure. I needed two hands to open my tent zipper. Well, I forgot that it was in there. I'm taking off my sun hat and feel something up there. The caterpillar has somehow climbed out of my pocket and made it up to the brim of my hat without me even noticing. They actually do climb up to the top of plants--I mean people.

That is so funny. Once I came inside from working in the garden and something tickled my leg. Good thing I didn't swat it because it was a third instar hitching a ride on me! I don't think I had seen any cats that day outside so I was surprised.

[Mona Miller]

Caterpillars don't have very good eye sight. I've also had a Zebra Swallowtail caterpillar hitching a ride in my tent, luckily I saw it before I left. I think the silk that they put down when rubbed against, pulls them off their leaves and onto something bushing by--me.