Breeding

[TNTMonarch]

We have 2 females, and 4 males. I just recently read that captive females can lay up to 700 or more eggs! Will these butterflies mate in such a small container? Will they mate when it is the typical overwintering time? Will artificial light and forced heat of a home confuse them and make them think it is spring/summer and mating time? Do the females have to have host plants to lay eggs on or would they lay them on the net?

My biggest concern right now is that I have no milkweed as it has all died off for the winter nor do I currently have room for raising 700 caterpillars though I would love too. I had no idea they laid that many eggs. I want to keep these butterflies going and raise multiple generations of them but I have a lot to learn.

Thanks again, I know I have a lot of questions. I first fell in love with Monarchs as a child when I would collect 5th instar caterpillars off the milkweed in our backyard and keep in a jar then release. I have learned a lot over the past few weeks and look forward to learning more.

[Mona Miller]

Where did you get these Monarchs? What size container? Are these part of the Monarchs in Space experiment?

[TNTMonarch]

Yes they are part of the Monarchs in Space Program. All six of my cats emerged as butterflies. That was more then I expected.

They are currently in butterfly net house That came with the painted ladies we got from Earth's Birthday Project.

I don't plan on releasing them as it has been continuously at or below freezing here.

I'm feeding them a mix of Gatorade and fresh orange slices.