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Published by Viceroy
10-18-2012 |
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#3
By
linrose
on
10-21-2012, 04:27 PM
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![]() I have 3 chrysalids of black swallowtail now residing in my garage. I'm assuming they won't eclose until next spring but I'm checking on them every day anyway. I had the enclosure outside but one of the chrysalids was eaten by a titmouse, I actually saw how she did it. So I have since brought it into the garage where hopefully they will survive. I don't know somehow I feel like I'm screwing with nature. I get that we need to boost the populations of butterflies but it still seems weird.
Anyhow, I am learning a great deal about the life cycles of butterflies so that's a plus, and I'm determined to see at least one eclose on my watch. |
#4
By
bridget1964
on
10-21-2012, 04:42 PM
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![]() Viceroy--
What a great post! I love raising caterpillars of all sorts, too. ![]() Linrose, I have about 20 black swallowtail chrysalids overwintering as well as a promethea moth cocoon. I keep them in the garage as well. Be sure to check on them and spritz them with water every week. Remember that rodents like to eat them also, so they aren't guaranteed to be safe there. |
#6
By
bridget1964
on
10-21-2012, 04:47 PM
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![]() Some caterpillars take much longer than a month, so be prepared for that. Depending on the species, some can take 12 weeks from egg to pupa! When I raised Io moth caterpillars, they didn't pupate until November. I drove everywhere looking for black cherry that hadn't dropped its leaves! Polyphemus caterpillars take a long time, too.
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#7
By
Viceroy
on
10-21-2012, 08:18 PM
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![]() Thanks you guys are great and I think it's fantastic that you are playing such an important role in keeping the numbers up.I gardened for many years before I actually started raising caterpillars. I let nature take its course, and did well.
Though I began to notice in years with high concentrations of wasps and ants, my population would decline dramatically. So I decided to lend a hand, and since then my numbers have almost doubled. I have closed down my operation indoors because of an upcoming vacation, and it's kinda hard to find someone to babysit caterpillars. But there are still plenty of eggs and cats in the yard for next year. Bridget, its awesome that you have so many BST for next year, what did you host them on? I went through approx 30 1gal parsleys this year. I put some bronze fennel in the ground to help out next year. Linrose, definitely spritz if indoors, they don't get the extra moisture from dew and rain inside. ![]() |
#8
By
Equilibrium
on
11-02-2012, 10:46 AM
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![]() I'm loving this!!!
-- I'm thinking what I need to do is be on the look-out for some sort of a spacious enclosure that allows for good air flow that I could set up in my living room.... maybe something that's 4' x 4'? Bummer that I missed the end of season sales on mini-greenhouses like what you've got but... there's always Craigslist and freecycle!!! I've got enough of those rubbermaid storage bins and I can start setting styrofoam sheets aside now that I'm seeing how they're being used. My living room is the catch all for all my goodies!!! The dogs don't go in there much unless I've got chicks in there so I'm thinking that'll be a good spot. I'm thinking that I've got to plant way more milkweed than what I've currently got planted and I'm thinking that I'll need to have a bumper crop of potted milkweeds for them to feed off of too!!! I wouldn't want to get caught with my pants down buying potted milkweed... I'd go broke!!! Around here.... it's the monarchs that need a hand. I think just about everything eats those not to mention their numbers are in serious decline because of the clear cutting going on down in Mexico. -- Spritzing them sounds easy enough and it makes sense!!! Cool addition.... something I probably wouldn't have thought to do since I've never seen it mentioned anywhere!!! |
#9
By
bridget1964
on
11-02-2012, 12:29 PM
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![]() I have had moth cocoons dry out when I didn't spritz them. The winter air tends to be very low in humidity and moisture, so adding some water to the pupae seems to help. If they were outside on the side of a tree, they would experience rain and sleet and snow. In our garages they are protected from animals (hopefully) but aren't going through the weather.
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Tags |
butterflies, butterfly, caterpillar, caterpillars, cats, chrysalis, collect, collecting, eggs, raise, raising, raising caterpillars |
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