First time in 2 years my monarch caterpillars actually made it to the chrysalis update*** stage

[helpme]

I feel so happy 

^ vinyl top isn't picture friendly 

mesh screen is much better for this

top right is actually what I left him at 

Update picture;

Monarch is born

on the left you can see the empty chrysalis 

 

Edited July 24, 2019 by helpme

[Phillies]

you ordered the worms over teh internet? 

[helpme]

  On 7/14/2019 at 8:12 PM, Phillies said:

you ordered the worms over teh internet? 

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Nope grew the plants and waited for them to come by

I ended up by the cage for them since only 1 in 2k will survive 

[tsar4]

Was able to release 12 of 13 last year.  This year so far, only had one caterpillar.  It went chrysalis and was a butterfly in 8 days instead of 14.

It might have been because this is the first year the Common Milkweed grew and the caterpillar had munched his way through three of those big leaves.  Otherwise, we've got Swamp & Purple Milkweeds.  Very few butterfly visitors, lots of bumblebees, some wasps, some hornets and yesterday a Queen (honey) bee & two honey bees.

[helpme]

  On 7/14/2019 at 9:52 PM, tsar4 said:

Was able to release 12 of 13 last year.  This year so far, only had one caterpillar.  It went chrysalis and was a butterfly in 8 days instead of 14.

It might have been because this is the first year the Common Milkweed grew and the caterpillar had munched his way through three of those big leaves.  Otherwise, we've got Swamp & Purple Milkweeds.  Very few butterfly visitors, lots of bumblebees, some wasps, some hornets and yesterday a Queen (honey) bee & two honey bees.

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I only have swamp milkweed I get a ton of flys 3-5 monarchs 1 red and 2 black wasps 5 bumblebees 

 

This year alone I had 21 Caterpillar and all of them went missing then I bought the cage and transferred the 7 remaining ones to the protected cage

[tsar4]

  On 7/14/2019 at 10:57 PM, helpme said:

I only have swamp milkweed I get a ton of flys 3-5 monarchs 1 red and 2 black wasps 5 bumblebees 

 

This year alone I had 21 Caterpillar and all of them went missing then I bought the cage and transferred the 7 remaining ones to the protected cage

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We've tried to set up a real Butterfly & Bee draw.  Bee Balm, Coneflowers, Sunflowers, Lavender, the various milkweeds, and other suggested flowering plants.  One female monarch has been buzzing the place along with a Red Admiral.  Last year, we had a lot of Cabbage Butterflies & apparently a few monarchs.

[helpme]

  On 7/14/2019 at 11:12 PM, tsar4 said:

We've tried to set up a real Butterfly & Bee draw.  Bee Balm, Coneflowers, Sunflowers, Lavender, the various milkweeds, and other suggested flowering plants.  One female monarch has been buzzing the place along with a Red Admiral.  Last year, we had a lot of Cabbage Butterflies & apparently a few monarchs.

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Plant some lantana  the butterfly's really like them 

[tsar4]

  On 7/15/2019 at 12:07 AM, helpme said:

Plant some lantana  the butterfly's really like them 

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Can't here, unless we replant it every year.  FYI - bees go nuts over Catmint, but be careful, the stuff takes over gardens without occasional trimming back.

[helpme]

  On 7/15/2019 at 12:22 AM, tsar4 said:

Can't here, unless we replant it every year.  FYI - bees go nuts over Catmint, but be careful, the stuff takes over gardens without occasional trimming back.

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I learned that with lavender ..................so much brush killer thank god it was in its own patch

[DragonSinger]

I wish I could send you guys all the damn bees around here. The only butterflies I find are different colored Tiger Swallowtails in mostly black and blue and something that's a solid light blue.

[helpme]

  On 7/15/2019 at 2:23 AM, SorceressPol said:

I wish I could send you guys all the damn bees around here. The only butterflies I find are different colored Tiger Swallowtails in mostly black and blue and something that's a solid light blue.

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I used to get something called a hummingbird moth for me it's rare I now get dragonflies  and praying mantis 

[DragonSinger]

  On 7/15/2019 at 2:29 AM, helpme said:

I used to get something called a hummingbird moth for me it's rare I now get dragonflies  and praying mantis 

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I was so confused the first time I saw one of them because I was like, 'Oh look, a hummingbird', but when it came closer, I knew it was a bug. Two or maybe three years ago, I'd never really seen hawk moths, but afterwards, there's been an explosion of them in my area. Same thing with stick insects. Never saw them before, but two years ago they just popped up.

[helpme]

  On 7/15/2019 at 6:44 AM, SorceressPol said:

I was so confused the first time I saw one of them because I was like, 'Oh look, a hummingbird', but when it came closer, I knew it was a bug. Two or maybe three years ago, I'd never really seen hawk moths, but afterwards, there's been an explosion of them in my area. Same thing with stick insects. Never saw them before, but two years ago they just popped up.

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Lucky 

[helpme]

  On 7/15/2019 at 10:47 AM, Zenigundam said:

If those things came anywhere near me, I'd get a fire hydrant full of Raid and fire off like Rambo

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Federally protected 

You kill it you won't ever see a girl only guys RIP zeni

 

[fuggstop]

i wanna a butterfly, helpme!!

[helpme]

  On 7/15/2019 at 1:42 PM, fuggstop said:

i wanna a butterfly, helpme!!

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The chrysalis takes between 1 to 2 weeks 

And I now have 2

[helpme]

@fuggstop here's the final stage

[Distortedreasoning]

thats pretty cool. 

[helpme]

  On 7/24/2019 at 10:33 PM, Distortedreasoning said:

thats pretty cool. 

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11 days and I'm happy 

[tsar4]

  On 7/24/2019 at 9:50 PM, helpme said:

@fuggstop here's the final stage

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"It's A Girl!" - where's my cigar?

[stilgar]

 

[fuggstop]

  On 7/24/2019 at 9:50 PM, helpme said:

@fuggstop here's the final stage

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Ok now package and mail 

Jk 

Good work my man!