Tell me I haven't hurt the little guy. . .

[Farfallina]

I was cleaning out my tank with smaller cats in it this morning. I removed the branch of milkweed, then the stick that was keeping it propped up. Before I laid the stick down I found a cat on it that is beginning to J hook! He wobbled a little, but did not fall off. I didn't think I had a cat that big in that tank. I had moved all the 5th instar cats into another keeper a few days ago. I guessed I missed this one. Anyway, I carefully put the stick into my hatching pavillion. Will he be alright?

[Gwynne]

They do get big quickly! I have had smaller ones in the morning and come home and thought to myself where did that big one come from. More than likely, if he just wobbled, he will be fine. When they are in the J position, they curl up when disturbed. I have mutiple ones in my rearing containers and still have to feed the others while I have ones J hooking. They will curl up in tight ball, while J hooking and then continue when I am done cleaning the cage. I have had a couple that were knocked into, either by other caterpillars looking for a place to pupate or by me and they are fine.

[Farfallina]

That's a relief! Hopefully he'll be fine as you said. Lesson learned: "look carefully before removing objects from tank! It really caught me by surprise. He's not as big as my other 5th instar cats, so I was not expecting him to J hook so soon.