new at this-instars/enclosure

[MNkristin]

wasn't sure how to title my post. I am new at rearing monarchs. have my first cocoon as of sometime during the early morning hours today. I have 2 cats that will soon be ready to cocoon. wondering if I may put one or both of them in the same enclosure as the newly formed cocoon. I have 6 cats (and one chrysalis) total right now, distributed btwn a few enclosures. any recommendations for number of cats per enclosure? especially for the later instars? thanks much. (I know some of my terminology is not quite correct-sorry)

[Mona Miller]

That's okay. This is a place to learn and share. First, the pupa (third stage) is called a chrysalis or pupa not a cocoon. Moths make cocoons.

Overcrowding can cause disease. In a 13 cup glad container, I put no more than 8 caterpillars. Make sure they have fresh food and clean out the frass (butterfly poop). As far as the number of chrysalis in a container, it depends on the size of the container. In a small net butterfly container you could put 10-20. They emerge (eclose) at different time and I'm usually letting them go when they do so they don't really bother each other as adults. Caterpillars are much more mischievous; for example, if you have eggs in a container when a new caterpillar emerges, it can crawl over and eat its room mate. Larger caterpillars may consume smaller caterpillars--not very good eye sight. Larger caterpillars may consume pupae, can't tell the difference between a leaf and a pupa (chrysalis).

http://www.monarchwatch.org/rear/index.htm
Rearing Monarchs

http://www.learnaboutmonarchs.com/
Learn About Monarchs

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/butterfly/
The Garden Forum, Butterfly Gardening has some good information.

Have fun, I love raising butterflies and gardening for them.