Eggs not hatching

[blazing star]

Hi All,

Please help. This year is the first year I have had my air conditioning on all year so this may be a variable and a cause for my problem. I have collected eggs, but they all turn brown and don't hatch. I have only raised 6 monarchs this year as a result. I just collected another 15, or so, eggs and am pondering if I should keep them outside in the aquarium. Could my a/c be drying out the eggs or do monarchs lay infertile eggs?

[Mona Miller]

Yes, Monarchs can lay infertile eggs. Yes, eggs can be parasitized or diseased. Sorry to hear this.

I keep my vent closed in my dinning room to keep it a little warmer.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2358&start=0&hilit=tent#p11506
Set up for using Glad Containers to Rear

I use these Glad Containers to rear inside. They keep the milkweed fresh for two days. I also raise Zebra Swallowtails in these and the Pawpaw last for two days, too without water.

The Glad containers are easy to wash in the dish washer. I just turn off the heat drying cycle and fill the whole dish washer. Lid in the bottom due to their height. I can wash 8 at a time. 4 in top, 4 in bottom with 8 lids.

[blazing star]

I had no clue but knew you would be able to educate me. I was thinking lack of humidity was causing this. You're the best!

I did put water droplets on the leaves with the eggs and I laid a piece of plastic 3/4 ways over the lid of the rearing aquarium to try to keep it more humid in there.

I don't have any plastic containers but will buy some if I have more issues.

Thanks, Mona.

[Mona Miller]

I try never to spray the leaves because a hatchling can drown in a drop of water. I spray the papertowel, then put a plastic lid with leaves on top of that.

http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa83 ... %20Tigers/
Jim in Michigan taught me how to do this. It works.

[blazing star]

Oh no! I didn't think of that. I was flicking water on the leaves and would pool up in large drops. I'll bunch up paper towels and moisten and use this instead. Thanks for the education.

It appears my newly collected eggs are having a higher success of hatching.

[Mona Miller]

A nice professor in Utah reminded me about how small the tiny first instar is and now dangerous water droplets are. I think this is why Momma Monarch lays most of the eggs on the underside of the leaf.