What happened to my cat?

[Farfallina]

My DD and I collected about a dozen monarch cats and the milkweed they were feeding on about a week and a half ago. The largest attached itself to a stick in our habitat and moved into the "J" position. Shortly thereafter she seemed began to "leak" and she is now hanging straight and it appeaers that she has died. Could it have been something we did? Are our other cats at risk?

[MILW]

There's a small chance that your monarch had a wound that allowed its blood to leak out (not contagious but probably lethal). Their blood is green, but turns black when exposed to air, that is their wound-healing reaction.

More likely perhaps is a virus, which can be highly contagious if it gets onto the leaves that you are feeding the other cats. I'd treat it as contagious- try to remove the body and flush it without spilling any more liquid. If you do have any drips, wipe them up with a paper towel that is wet with weak bleach solution (10% chlorox, or 1/4 c bleach in 2 1/4 c water). Be sure to wash your hands well before feeding the other cats, too!

Will you be able to disinfect the habitat, or move the other cats to different housing?

Anyway, I don't think it is anything you have done; it is just that the monarchs are susceptible to a lot of diseases and parasites, and it is hard to diagnose anything without a microscopic examination.

Good luck! -Scott

[Farfallina]

Thanks, Scott.

I moved her to another habitat when she got in the "J" position. It was after that that she began leaking. I was very careful doing it and I don't believe she sustained an injury. Should I not have moved her? When it is okay and not okay to move a cat?

I'm planning on cleaning the habitat containing the other cats today. I try to clean up their waste every couple days or so. I have a few that are quite large now and are probably close to getting in to the "J" position. Any suggestions on how I should proceed? Should I clean this habitat with the bleach solution even through the other catepillar was not in it while she was noticeably ill?

We have succcessfully raised butterflies from mail-order kits, but this is our first time raising them from the wild. Any suggestions you have are grately appreciated.

[MILW]

I wouldn't disinfect the container with the other cats- if they've already stopped eating, they can't get the virus. It can only infect them orally (assuming your cats aren't needle-using drug addicts ).

For handling, it's ok to move the cats that are wandering around looking for a place to hang, but once they J-hook, they're very delicate and shouldn't be moved. Once the chrysalis has hardened, it is possible to move them but they are still easy to drop and damage.

good luck! -Scott

(ps I try to bring in eggs and hatchlings, mainly. That reduces the chances of parasitism and disease. Some people rinse the milkweed leaves before giving them to the cats, but I don't normally do that)

[Farfallina]

The others are still eating. Some are larger than others, but I suspect the larger ones should be done eating today or tomorrow. Is it too late for them all? They all look very healthy at the moment. Do you think I should move the larger ones now while I have the chance? I'm concerned about leaving them in with the little guys while they form their chrysilis. They're still eating, but I could put a few leave in with them until they stop eating.