what is the caterpillar food source?

[butterflyhaven]

I'm sorry if this has been covered (I'm sure it has, but I cant find it), but what is the food that the cats were eating on the shuttle? Was it some sort of liquid. Were some cats tested before them to know they would eat it?
Thank you! Jane, WI

[nelsondr]

I'm not sure, but if you watch the interview with Chip Taylor (under the 'videos' section), he discusses the issue of success with the artificial diet. If I remember correctly, BioServe was having little success, and that's how Monarch Watch came onto the program - they were having great success. Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to be easy to make, or the cats were difficult to breed for this adaptation. (In my panic mode with my situation, I've tried to think of anything that might work - I'll try the milkweed in a couple of hours and let you know how it goes!)

[texas butterfly]

The food is not a liquid.

It has more the consistency of canned pumpkin.

Though the actual ingredients are not known and probably something Monarch Watch has developed with many months of experimentation.

t butterfly.

[Jim]

probably something Monarch Watch has developed with many months of experimentation.

Years, actually

The artificial diet contains everything a growing monarch caterpillar needs; the exact recipe is a trade secret for now, as we continue to run diet trials in house. Stay tuned for more info!