cats not moving

[newmon]

I just found 2 cats on Sunday..appear to be in 4th instar, maybe 5th. They were eating until this morning. Now they are both on the screen on the top of the glass container that I have them in. Not sure how long they've been there as I just got home from work and they were eating this morning. Do they do this when ready to go into J? If so, how long? If not, why else would they both be up on the screen and not moving at all?

[Mona Miller]

Either they are molting again or they are spinning their button. You'll find out within 24 to 48 hours. Don't bother or move them. Let nature take it's course.

http://www.mymonarchguide.com/2007/05/r ... llars.html
More information on the cycle.

[newmon]

Oh, ok. For some reason right now they look like they are smaller than they looked prior to this resting period. Is that normal too?

[skates4marty]

They bunch up and look shorter. Keep fresh milkweed leaves in the bottom of the cage until the cats are chrysalides. They often go to the top, check out the accommodations, then come back down and eat for another day. Are you saying you found these outside as 4ths or 5ths? If they are looking skinnier, they may be parasitized by tachinid fly. If they form J's that then straighten a bit and look deflated, that's bad.

[Mona Miller]

Keep your fingers crossed. Many of those 4th and 5th instars do make it, but some don't. There is more of a chance for the flies to lay on them.

[newmon]

Well, this morning they are still motionless on the top screen. I did put fresh leaves in last night but they haven't budged, at least not off the screen. Again, not sure how long it's been. They were feeding when I left for work yesterday and when I got home at around 5:30 and checked on them they were both on the top of the screen and fairly motionless and have been there since. So, it may not be 24 hours yet, not sure.

I wasn't sure if they were 4th or 5th instar as I am new to this.

[Mona Miller]

Don't move them. If they are molting they need to be still.

[newmon]

Ok, so I just got home from work and they are both J's!!! I am so excited. I thought they were both going to die. Now how long do they stay in J form and turn into chrysalis? I won't know when they went into J today but I at least know that they weren't this morning and now they are.

Let me know!! I can't wait!!!

[Pixie]

Newmom - since your cats went into J formation today, they should spin their chrysalis' sometime tomorrow. If you are home keep watch - it is an amazing sight to behold, watching them go from cat to chrysalis. Then it will take 10-14 days for your new monarchs to enclose - again another beautiful sight to watch a beautiful new monarch emerge from the chrysalis - this phenomenon never ceases to amaze me. I currently have 12 chrysalaides to enclose between this weekend & next week. Good luck - let us know how it goes.

Dottie (Pixie)
WS # 252

[texas butterfly]

I was amazed at how many times the cats seem to stop moving. You think something is wrong but they are just resting or getting ready to molt.

It seems like it is watching a pot of water boil. Seems to take longer when you watch.

They seem to hang in J between 12 and 24 hours.

Temperature, etc can affect how fast this happens.

Sometimes I'll get up in morning or come back from work and they have PUPA'd.

Right before they turn into chrysalis, the filaments (antennas) will droop.

If you aren't watching at the right time, poof the cat will be gone and a chrysalis is left.

I've been lucky to see the process "live" a few times.

On Youtube there are some videos of the process.

Seems like it just 15 seconds or so for the process to occur and then they keep winging for a little while til the chyrsalis hardens.

Enjoy!!!

[Mona Miller]

I have watched this process dozens of times, but never tire of it. I was just thinking that it is like the caterpillar is changing from its PJs to its beautiful jade, jeweled evening wear, when it emerges from the chrysalis it puts on its formal day wear.

This is a very good video of pupation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY-Fiyq8jc4