This episode covers my experience as a newbie keeper of monarch caterpillars. I raised a couple of sets of monarchs this summer and thought it would be worthwhile to pass on some of this information to other people interested in raising monarch butterflies, too. I am by far not an expert in this so if you hear something that I got wrong, please speak up and let me know! Please read through the links I attach as well before you embark on raising caterpillars on your own. The more knowledge you have going into this the better your experience will be!
Music: “New Day” by Lee Rosevere
Milkweed tussock moth caterpillar—they use milkweed, too.
Oleander aphids on tropical milkweed.
Monarch egg
My egg raising container. Very fancy!
Initial cage set up when no plant is inside.
Chowing down!
Fat and happy—not too long before they will pupate.
In the J shape they sit in before they fully pupate.
A caterpillar only minutes before, the chrysalis portion of the life cycle has begun.
When a caterpillar eats around your chrysalis!
Chrysalides that have been moved and re-hung with floss.
Almost ready to eclose!
Just out of the chrysalis!
Ready to fly!
Asclepias viridis, green milkweed.
Show Notes:
+Rearing Monarch’s Responsibly
+How to Raise Monarch Butterflies Indoors: 21 Monarch Survival Tips
+How to Raise Monarch Butterflies at Home Part I
+How to Raise Monarch Butterflies at Home Part II
+Tropical Milkweed: To Plant it or Not, it’s Not a Simple Question
+Tropical Milkweed OK for Monarch Butterflies, “Just Cut the Dang Stuff Down”
+Raising Monarch Butterflies
+Butterfly FAQ: Is Relocating a Monarch Chrysalis OK? Yes, and Here’s Tips On How to Handle Them With Care
+Butterfly FAQ: How to move a Monarch butterfly chrysalis
+How to Easily Move a Monarch Chrysalis
+Rearing Monarchs
+Is Your Caterpillar Cage Killing Monarch Butterflies?
+Milkweed Locator from Grow Milkweed Plants
+Asclepias results from Native American Seed
+Milkweed Seed Finder from the Xerces Society
+Asclepias results from Prairie Moon Seeds
+Asclepias results from Johnny’s Selected Seeds
+Asclepias results from Botanical Interests
+What is OE
+Cold Stratification of Milkweed Seeds
+Parasites in Monarchs
+Pesticide contaminated milkweed
+How to Help Monarchs without poisoning them
[…] episode pairs well with Episode 3-10 where I discuss my experience raising monarch butterflies. I learned several interesting things in […]