Cats all moving in

[jen]

Okay everyone, I think I am finally ready to move all of my cats to my enclosed "tomato cage". I have a total of 7 cats right now. One is ready to pupate any day now ( he is HUGE), one a little smaller, though they both hatched on the same day. The other four are maybe an entire week younger. One of these died this morning (my first fatality) he just didn't grow like the others, and I also noticed a rust brown colored spot on his tiny back. Does anyone have any knowledge of what this might be? Was it a coincidence that this one died? I would like them all to move in together, in the tulle covered tomato cage. Are they all ready? Will the big ones eat the little ones? It really is hard keeping all the different "ages" separated, especially when you keep finding them in different stages.( tiny cat on a leaf, 3 day old on a leaf, etc. ) Does anyone else see this as a problem, too? Does everyone else separate cats by approx. age? Does anyone else have 5 or dix different containers on their kitchen island? Is there an easier way? Can I keep the "babies" ( even if they've hatched several days apart ) all together till they are bigger, then put them with some even bigger cats who are going to pupate sooner than them? Any advice? What works for you? I guess I'd just like to know if any one has put different aged "older cats" together with no problems.I can always try trial and error, but I'd hate to see any homicides! Dave mentioned hatchlings all together without any problems. What about the big ones?
Jen

[MILW]

Hi Jen, I generally don't have trouble keeping different ages together if enough leaves and space are provided. I'd avoid putting a big one and a baby together on the same leaf, but having several 2nd-3rd instars together on a leaf is generally not a problem. When they get to 5th instar I like to have only one per leaf, or several on a stalk with enough leaves for all.

I'd suspect that the cat that died with a spot on its back might have been attacked by a parasitoid wasp- I'd dispose of the body away from any other living cats!

Good luck!
cheers- sCott

[jen]

Can monarch eggs be damaged by wasps? The infected cat was reared from an egg in my house about a week ago. I was thinking of some kind of kitchen misshap, since they are sitting on my island. I have very careful about keeping everything clean, it's possible my husband may have sprayed a cleaner near it? lysol with bleach? Or my kids? Death by peanut butter and jelly?Thanks for your help. Will the sth instars keep to their own leaf, or do you need to pick them off to separate them to their own leaves?
Jen

[MILW]

Well, it's hard to say for sure. If you raised it inside from an egg, it was probably not a wasp. I've had some caterpillars fail to shed their skin, or just die with no apparent cause. I wouldn't worry too much about the kids- My 5 yr old likes to hold the caterpillars and put them back on the leaves, and I don't think any of those have ever died, not even the ones that were dropped on the floor If they're handled too roughly, they will spit up green juice to show their displeasure!

Also, I would avoid getting lysol or bleach or soap on the cats- cover them or move them when spraying would be my advice. I usually have mine inside on the dining room table, but with covers on their containers (plastic tubs).

Also the 5ths will usually stay on a leaf in a tub, but if you put them on a stalk they may wander around to find a leaf that tastes good. If you end up with two on a leaf, don't hesitate to pick one up and move him (or her).