Cats are dying

[toadine]

I am a gardener in Gaithersburg Maryland. I am having the problem with my cats. They are growing only to half their size sometimes less and then they die. They appear shriveled and turn black. I have lost 5 or 6 this way. I now have 2 more, 1 small and 1 large, they are still feeding so I have some hope for these 2. Someone I spokewith someone at Brookside Garden and she mentioned a disease knownd as OE? Don't know what that is. Could that be the problem? Is the milkweed a Problem? ..by toadine
Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:09 am

Forum: USA - South Atlantic (DE, DC, FL, GA, MD,NC, SC, VA, WV)
Topic: Found eggs 06/25/09 - half of them died in VA
Replies: 6
Views: 78

[Mona Miller]

Sounds like black death (nosema).

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/butt ... 31715.html
This website has good information.

[toadine]

Thank you for the website. It appears to be the problem. I am looking forward to learning more on the Monarch Watch, so that I can raise them next season. Yesterday, I saw 2 large cats and 1 small. Today, I can only find junior who is growing rapidly. Keeping an eye out for the other 2.
toadine

[quote="Mona Miller"]Sounds like black death (nosema).

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/butt ... 31715.html
This website has good information.[/quote]

[Mona Miller]

Best thing to do is clean all containers between broods. Don't over crowd. Separate instars to size. Separate any caterpillars who are behaving strangely. Clean frass up every day. Provide healthy, fresh food. Good ventilation. Keep down humidity.

[FmrYpr21222]

I live in Dundalk,MD and I'm having the same problem. One of my first cats was in the process of turning and it was almost done (chrysalis) and it stopped. Actually seemed to stretch down. Never had this happen before. Good to know there is a reason and will clean everything out.

[Mona Miller]

That can also be a fly parasite. They will make their button and then just hang there and then they become very straight. Later, you may see a fly string and you might even find a fly pupa.