Surprise this morning

[mflutterby]

I had all but given up to the thought of finding caterpillars this year. However, this morning when I went out to take a picture of a monarch that was in the neighbors yard, I looked down at our milkweed and I saw it. The most beautiful sight, a big fat caterpillar. The more I looked the more I found. All stages from tiny to really big. So I gathered up all that I could find and brought them inside. This will be my second year of rearing them. Although last year we actually started from eggs that we found. I can't see if there are any eggs, too many of those aphids. My husband has better eyes, I'll let him look. I am not sure how many I have right now, as I separate them I will get a count, but I know there are at least 10, so far. Last year we released 21 and we made sure to plant lots of milkweed last year so that we wouldn't run out. So hopefully this year will be a success as well.

[applestar]

I usually separate the 4~5th instars into single or doubles in quart size deli containers to minimize problems from Tachnid fly infestation and other possible problems, and sort 3rd and smaller into appropriately sized group containers.

Good luck and have fun!

[mflutterby]

That is exactly what we did. We matched them up size wise and put two each into deli containers. We have 29 total and it looks like a couple are getting ready to get into the j.