two questions

[8babycaterpillars]

1.) How long after they hatch do they turned into the chrylis((sp))??Im on day 21 and all this cat wants to do is eat and eat eat...it seems to be in the instar before the chrylis stage and its huge....

2.) After seeing some pics of other different cats...I was wondering
I have this cat that is has more black on it vs white of the cats...Is this still
a monarch cat or a different type...I mean it was on a milkweed the egg was

thanks

8babycaterpillars

[monarchlady]

A very good book (it has BIG pictures) is My Monarch Journal - it is a children's book, but is is very helpful because you can see exactly at what stage your cat is at. I still use this book as a handy reference guide. The egg to chrysalis should take thirteen days and then to day 25 for a butterfly. They are pretty much on the money - it could be us humans that are miscalculating. Do you have an environment (twig) for your cat to hand upsidedown and "button"? I have seen them hang like this for a day (I begin to worry), but then in less than a minute the outer "skin" peels down and there will be a beautiful chrysalis hanging. Good Luck.

[Mona Miller]

As long as it has two sets of antennae it is probably a Monarch. Queens have three. At this time of year your caterpillar is preparing to take a trip to Mexico, CA, TX, or FL, they are tanking up for the trip. Usually, it's 3 to 5 days as a caterpillar, 2 weeks as a larvae and 10 days as a pupae.

[Fran Ludwig]

Tip for raising fall caterpillars: Yank some milkweed back to the roots in July. Then there will be tender new shoots in September for late cats ....in time for school study. I keep some in my front garden--I'm sure the neighbors wonder. Too late for this year, but if you find a field that was mowed in mid summer you will find tender milkweed as well.

Fran Ludwig
K-5 Science Specialist
Lexington (MA) Public Schools

[monarchlady]

I received 16 one to three day old 'cats' today - have established individual habitats for each - will monitor each on a daily basis - wish me luck (for all 16) - this is late in season - has anyone ever frozen the milkweed leaves for feedings? I feed them a fresh leaf every day or two - my milkweed is pretty well seasoned, but has not gone to seed, still getting new growth - I do know of an area within driving distrance that has young tender leaves - can I freeze them or refrigerate them??? I read this, but have never tried it.

[Pat]

I just keep a bunch of leaves in a ziploc bag in the vegetable bin -- same as the parsley I keep for the black swallowtails. The caterpillars don't seem to mind. Pat

[Teresa]

I've been picking leaves and just keeping them in water and they seem to keep really well.