cats in Northeast Ohio

[reggorf]

I have a friend getting married on August 6th. I am planning on releasing some Monarchs that I have found and raised locally at her wedding. I currently have 6 2nd instar cats. I am thinking it is going to be very close in the timing. I am wondering if anyone in northeast Ohio has any bigger cats they would be willing to trade with me or sell to me or give to me for this event. I am actively searching the areas where I know there is milkweed to find some bigger cats. If all else fails, I may try to contact our local park district, as I know they raise them all summer. Thanks.

[Mona Miller]

You can speed up the process by keeping them in a warmer area. Just don't put them in direct sun. Heat makes the cycle go faster.

[reggorf]

They are in my kitchen which is warmest place in my house. i will probably move them outside into the big butterfly house tonight. It is supposed to be in the 90s all week. thanks. I just wish I would find some bigger cats just as a back up. I think that these should be ok, but you never can tell with nature.

[reggorf]

The heat definately has sped up the process. They are all in chrysalis stage now. I have exactly 2 weeks until the wedding. I am thinking I should move them to a little bit cooler location downstairs so they dont emerge too early. I don't really want to keep them in my butterfly house for 4-5 days. What do you think?

[Mona Miller]

They usually emerge in 10 days. I'd let them emerge and then put them in your butterfly house or in glassine envelopes (stamp collecting type) and into a 45 degree frig so they don't break their wings.

[reggorf]

I dont have any envelopes. If I put them into the butterfly house, should I just make sure to put some blooming flowers in there, and maybe some fruit and sugar water for them? I have a butterfly feeder I bought that is plastic and has little red felt rolled up that soaks up the sugar water from a tray underneath. the house is 5ft tall and 3x3ft wide. Is that enough room for 6 adults for 4-5 days?

[Mona Miller]

The problem is that they may break their wings. Check flowers for spiders and other predators. And, flowers run out of nectar fast in an enclosure. Good luck.

[reggorf]

Thanks Mona. If I were to put them in the fridge, they would have to be in those envelopes, right? Where do you get them? I dont think I have ever seen one or even know what they look like.

[Mona Miller]

If you don't have glassine you can use regular envelopes or something like a bank envelope (those that the bank puts your money in) not the deposit envelopes. Then, put the envelopes into a plastic container so the frig doesn't dry them out. I use the door since it is warmer there. Actually, 2 years ago I bought a cheap wine cooler so that I can set the temp.

You can also keep them in a dark cool room, but they do need to eat. I also mist a couple of time with water so that they can take some water from the netting. There should be some info on the forum on hand feeding them. If you don't have enough flowers, you may need to hand feed them. Putting in dishes of juice or fruit, may get their wings sticky.

[reggorf]

I have hand fed before, so that's no problem. I put those round plastic kitchen scrubbers in the containers with any liquid so that there isnt any liquid that the butterflies can get into, but they can reach it through the scrubber. I will go out an buy some potted flowers and use cut flowers from my butterfly garden as well. Thanks for the advice.

[reggorf]

All the butterflies emerged in 6-7 days. I did not want to try to keep them for a full week. I released them. Mostly females. I have two more that may emerge by saturday. If not, I think that the naturalist at the park I work at has plenty that I should be able to take a few from her for the wedding.

[Mona Miller]

This can happen. For years, I've saved Monarchs for a tagging event in Maryland. I'd have to feed them, allow them to digest their food, and then store them in a wine cooler for 3-4 days in glassine envelopes. Then, I'd take them out and repeat. I hated doing this. I am so overwhelmed with all the stuff I have to do this year that I decided just to raise and release and not save Monarchs.

[reggorf]

The wedding went well. We released 3 Monarchs. I released all of mine that emerged more than 4 days before the wedding. I did keep one that emerged on Wednesday but it did not make it. There was plently of flowers, and water, and fruit in the enclosure. It was weak from the beginning, so I am thinking that there was something else going on with it. Now, I can just relax and do what you are doing, raise and release. Not mess to much with nature, other than protecting it from the elements and predators. Thanks for your help.