Raising Monarchs Part 4 - The Chrysalis (How To Care For Monarch Butterfly Chrysalides)
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- Опубліковано 16 лип 2024
- This is Part 4 of a 5 Part series on how to help Monarch Butterfly eggs reach adulthood. As of 2014, the Eastern and Midwestern Monarchs of North America are doing very poorly, having record low numbers. This series has been made in the hopes of allowing those who wish to take an active role in helping out the Monarch be able to do so.
Part 4 shows the transition from caterpillars to chrysalides, showing the full transformation. In addition, this video describes the issue of crowding, when multiple chrysalides are formed very close to each other, and how to solve this problem through hanging the chrysalides.
Please post comments, questions, and suggestions relating to the video information or your own Monarch Butterfly experiences! - Наука та технологія
I love your video series! I planted a butterfly garden in my backyard and enjoyed watching the butterflies and caterpillars but they all disappeared before I saw any in the chrysalis stage. After watching your videos, I brought 14 eggs inside and they hatched today, I'm in FL and our milkweed has much smaller leaves so it's harder to cut and place them but I was successful and looking forward to watching them grow. My teenage son laughed at me and said mom, we did this in kindergarten, I said "and I remember how happy it made you to see them fly away"!
Lol I'm doing tbe same thing . I currently have 29 eggs. I don't know if u have enough milkweed now ....
I just planted a garden and saw eggs. So I bought a tomato cage and a mesh drawstring bag to put over it so they’re protected form predators. I can’t commit to do more than that, but hoping they survive!
I have an excess of maternal energy coupled with a lifelong entomology obsession, this year I finally took on monarch safekeeping, your videos have made it less stressful for all of us!! I'm subscribing because anyone who takes care of the tiniest of critters is tops in my book!
I don't mean to sound like I was born in the 1920s but it just happens on UA-cam :)
Thank you for sharing and being so conscientious!
I don't know if I'd know what someone from the 1920's would sound like. At any rate, welcome aboard! Very pleased that you can find these videos to be of use. Hope your season has gone well!
MrLundScience waiting, oh so patiently for eclosure!
I have my first Crystalis. I'm so excited. Watched it turn and all. My 65 years I never seen this. Scratch another off my bucket list.
Observe: The male Monarch flies around garden with Milkweed for a few days. Then two to three days later the female Monarch comes and checks out the layout then she starts laying her eggs, lots of them. The eggs I was finding were on the lower New leaves and some up in the budded flowers. On the larger leaves she layed two eggs. This year I noticed there were less Monarchs. But the one or two that came to there butterfly garden, layed lots. Also this year there were different species such as Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Skippers few different types, Grey hair streak, one have not identified yet. And of course the Anise Swallowtail. And several Cabbage whites, so pretty to see white butterflies. Going to plant more host plants if I can find them...lccv
I use a reptile container for my 5th instars as well, however, I put it on its side. This way, the caterpillars pupate on the clear plastic top and I have an outstanding clear view of the process. Also, it enables me to remove the lid easily for cleaning and photos/videos without disturbing the chrysalides. Try it!
J Hook is in the chrysalis stage now after watching him/her the entire time suddenly there it was and had happened during an hour I was in the other room! Wow, relief and now I understand all the commotion they go through seeking that spot, not eating, etc. I can't believe how the entire process happens and can't wait to have more of this experience with the upcoming J II and the tiny Jimmy J now too small for the larger habitat but it won't be too long! Thanks again, you are amazing and your energy for doing all of the videos I have now found is stunning. Kids are blessed to have you in their lives.
Blessed due to me? Naw. I won't take such credit. I'd say, they benefit from some tax dollars paying for public education in the case of me being in their lives. I'll take the compliment humbly, nonetheless, so thank you.
I'm excited for you getting to see the chrysalis stage! Just a few days now, and oh, the excitement you'll have. Good luck!
Elementary teacher here! I bought a milkweed and planted it in my garden and was so excited to see several caterpillars on it 2 weeks ago. I am documenting the progress for my students. 2 of the caterpillars disappeared when they got big enough to make their chrysalis. I think they must have crawled back between another bush and my fence. BUT, today on started J hanging under the ridge in the siding by the plant. I am so excited to watch the process. Your videos have been very helpful. Thank you for the time and attention you put into them.
Much gratitude for your series! You broke all the steps down to where I could understand each stage and what my tasks were in nurturing. You mentioned Michigan and in your first video wore a shirt that had St. Johns on it so yes, I looked your name up, and hooray, you are from the same neck of the woods so I know now I might have a chance! Thank YOU!
I keep a little note with the dates when the chrysalis was formed and the butterfly emerges and it has been exactly 11 days for the last three. I keep them inside my home. For a few caterpillars, I found the mesh splatter guards, plastic strainer and plastic salad bowls helpful in container the caterpillars while keeping air flow. My first time raising these beautiful creatures since last summer, 2021, and have raise 21 to date. When they first emerge from their egg, I call them Schmooie.
My monarch was J hanging at 8:30 this am. It is now 5:00 pm and caterpillar is in chrysalis form.
In 10- 14 days, I hope a male butterfly is born. His name is Johnny since egg... thank you Rich for all-out help. Bayonne, NJ
Great news, Janet!
Sorry that I haven't been able to be more on top of these comments. This summer, I'm getting even more per day than previous years. About 30 a day, or so. But, I want to make sure to give everyone the respect of replying, as they've taken the time to help the Monarchs, and that's always so very much appreciated!
So very cool to hear that you have it already in a chrysalis form. Is this your first one ever that you've raised? Ah...I remember my first! It's so exciting!
*JHN-238*
Fabulous! Thank you!
Just the most amazing venture to witness. U so appreciate the hard work and stages that these beauties go through
Both have just made the change from 5th instar to chrysalides! Even though I watch your video many times I was, well, it was so amazing! The additional milkweeds have been planted. I'm in So. CA so it's going to be summer temps for a while longer here. Thanks again Mr. Lund!
I'm getting all my friends involved with monarchs. Project: Save the monarch!
Yes. i must do same.
DEREK TONEY I new to this bur I he’d 2 healthy Caterpillars. The leaf they were j-hanging from fell from the milk weed. One even fell to the ground. Can I save them. I didn’t see any silk? Please help. Bonnie
Your videos and information has been extremely helpful. You are my go-to when I need information. Thank you! We've had one monarch emerge on 08/07. Two more are heading to 'J' hanging. These are the most exciting as we found them as eggs; so, we're experiencing the full process... Amazing!
My monarchs hatched on July 5th and crysalised on July 19th!!!! So excited to release them!!!
This is exactly the video I needed! We usually have maybe 6-8 chrysalides at a time waiting to eclose but a fertile mama laid 30 eggs so I needed to know exactly how to move them to a bigger enclosure. This video showed me how! Thank you for taking the time to film it.😊
Thank you so much for the time you put into this! The earth needs more people like you!
I don't know if another Rich Lund would be a good thing or a bad thing...or even if they'd get along. They'd probably skate together, but chess matches could get bloody.
Thanks for your time and effort in making these videos. I have three caterpillars that just entered the chrysalis stage! Your videos have been very helpful. Great music too.
Thanks Nami! I hope for your three chrysalides that you are at a more southern latitude than I. Here in Michigan, we've got snow on the ground! Good luck!
My first year with milkweed plants and I saved 28 caterpillars! I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We are in our fall heatwave. I’m almost completely out of milkweed but I only have one guy that would rather eat than make his journey to the top of the enclosure. I wasn’t planning on raising them so I sure hope this beautiful insects survive the trip. I’m not tagging them because I simply wasn’t prepared! I have hung the chrystilides that are ready and will free them the same way you do. I am definitely going to plant a lot more milkweed next year along with marigolds and anything else that keeps aphids away! I think my fingers are stained yellow from trying to fend those suckers off. It was a loosing battle but I found two good sized plants at Lowe’s.
I’m looking forward to doing this again next year but in a more prepared and responsible way.
So thankful for all these helpful videos and tips. I'm new to this and appreciate the guidance and advice!
Thanks for the informative videos! Watched them last year towards the end of the season, after planting my first milkweeds in my garden and raised and released one monarch butterfly. This year I have 22 caterpillars, and am loving this little hobby/obsession! I plan to keep the seeds of the milkweed and start as many plants as I can next spring, then I will give them away to community members in an effort to attract more monarchs to our area of Nova Scoita, Canada. Thanks again!
Yep, the number one reason I have milkweed, after the idea of just helping the Monarchs in general, is to have a source of seeds each year to give out to interested students. Planting milkweed can be pretty low commitment, and thus, many are willing to do it to help out. Great job getting your community members involved!
I have 6 caterpillars right now, three of which I've raised from eggs, and the rest I found while picking milkweed or biking. Two of them, lovingly named Sausage and Meatloaf, are due to form a chrysalis any day now. This is my first time raising monarchs and I am SO excited. Thanks for the great info!
Cool to have you along! Many rewards await you along the way of your first time. Enjoy!
Thank you for creating the series. I felt reassured at each phase of their development having watched what it supposed to happen next. I just raised 5 monarch on three store-bought milkweed plants. No 1, 2 and 3 just flew the coup. Maybe some of their descendants will come back.
J. Elke Ertle That...is...awesome. Thank you for sharing that. Makes me feel great to know how these videos are being used. I appreciate it very much, and definitely appreciate you taking the time to help them!
I harvested our first 6 caterpillars today. My kids and I are very excited. We have used insectlore to watch caterpillars but now, I have a milkweed garden that has been visited!
You're doing amazing work here. My dad and I have milkweed seeds, and we plan to help the monarchs also. I'm learning a lot from these videos. I'll pass the info to my dad and we will also help hopefully on this kind of scale.
Definitely cool that your father and you are both involved. Keep it up! We need all the help we can get!
TasoanSpawn awesome!!! im doing the same, hope it helps!
Greetings Toast Goddess, and welcome aboard.
1. Everything needs heat, of course, but do you need to keep them at a specific temperature? No. In nature, the Monarchs deal with all sorts of temperatures. So, keeping them indoors at room temperature is fine.
2. I would suggest, no, do not add anything else. As I show in my videos, they are given milkweed leaves, and that's it. Most Monarch caterpillars will spend their entire caterpillar stage on a milkweed plant, provided it has enough food from that plant. Giving your caterpillar other things to crawl on can only cause it to get lost, and have more work to do to get back to the milkweed. These aren't pets, and while we might think in human terms that they'd like to "spruce up" their homes, truth is, the caterpillar will not care about these things. These caterpillars care about milkweed, and that's it.
3. Usually, a leaf will dry out, even with the moist paper towel around it, in about three days. I'd say they should get a fresh leaf every three days, or sooner, of course, if it's eating through the leaf.
4. For cleaning the tank, soap and water works fine, but if you are worried about possible infections in your area, a dilute solution of bleach water can be used, but you must very very thoroughly rinse the bleach water out when finished.
5. NO! Do not use baby wipes! They have other chemicals laced within them, which can potentially harm the caterpillar. Further, paper towel is considerably cheaper than baby wipes. Why not just get some paper towel?
6. As mentioned in Part 5, the Monarchs should be released the same day they emerge as adults. The longer they are kept in captivity, the higher the probability is that it could damage its wings. These are not pets, but are animals that have declining numbers, and they have a busy schedule! Now, that being said, it's certainly understandable that you might want to spend some time checking out the amazing adult that you spent so much effort in raising. So, I would say a day would be the most they should be observed. Beyond that, though, they need to fly free to keep the generations going.
Good luck!
Thank you Mr Lund for the great info on raising monarch caterpillars. Your videos have been super helpful! This has really been a fun & exciting time raising 12 monarchs. Next year I will be starting earlier so I can save more monarchs :) Such an amazing little creature.
Cool that you've found a new thing to enjoy. Each year, we learn from the last and it only gets better.
@@MrLundScience Thanks! :)
Your videos are very helpful and amazing! I planted a butterfly garden at my house and have my first 3 J hangers! Anxiously awaiting a chance to release them! Thanks for the videos....complete instructions and timing scales! awesome!
I'm very glad that they have been able to be helpful. Congrats on your J-hangers! Getting to see them emerge in about 10-12 days will be awesome the first time through.
Hi, Mr.LundScience and a great big thank you for your diligent and great work! I am looking at my first caterpillar who has moved from one spot to his third on the ceiling of my large net cage, and without your comments and the followers I would be somewhat freaked that he hasn't settled down! I have had one of the three original, (one sadly died ;'-( ), cats do this at an early stage as he/she had climbed up the sides but it was not nearly as large as this one, so assuming he/she was "lost". I replaced her on the leaves below where she was happy! Now this guy! I named him "J Hook" and "J" for short, and his little sis on the leaves hanging out now is "J II" to make it easier ,and hopeful! Thanks again for this stuff, you are amazing and I would not have been convinced to help these little guys in my garden last week without your videos that we have watched now for the 2nd time. Oh ,and yes ,I observed this J guy twitch and also his antennae looking crinkly now but this is going into 24 hrs. since he attached in first place on the top.
Yep, when the antennae look to be withering, that's an indicator that within an hour or so, they'll be forming the chrysalis. As this comment was 2 days ago, I would imagine you've gotten to enjoy that transition by now. Great job, Debbie! I'm very pleased that these videos were able to help you out. When I was trying to figure these things out, there were some videos on UA-cam I looked at for guidance, but not many. Just not that many showed things very well or provided details I wanted. So, once I figured a few things out, I thought I'd make the videos I had wanted when I was trying to learn. I had no idea there'd be this many people benefiting from them. It's pretty humbling.
My son and I go for walks and he likes to call them scavenger hunts!! We hunt for caterpillars! We every year hatch out about 10 or more. We have watched all your videos and we this year just found today 9 eggs on leaves and we also brought in today 21 caterpillars of all sizes! We have them all in containers from size to size so the big ones don't bother the real little ones. We have a total of 29 and on has turned into it's chrysalis and we have 9 eggs!! My son loves watching nature and releasing them back out into the wild! This is something he will remember all his life and I encourage parents to have fun like this with there children!!!
That all sounds pretty awesome. Of course, make sure you have enough food to supply all of those lil' tykes, but it sounds like you have things under control. And oh yes, this is fertile ground for lasting memories. Great job!
We just watched 2 hatch from eggs and the third is just trying to wiggle out now!!! This is such an amazing thing to watch nature at its best!!!
Thank you!...I think this is a good project to do with my kiddos I'm going to plant lots of milkweed this year
You're welcome. Thanks for getting the younger generation involved!
Wow! What an awesome series of videos! Not sure how I missed out on this hobby all these years. I am making this comment now as my first Monarch is about to J hang. This has been quite a thrill and I would not have attempted to do this without watching your videos. Thank you! I'll pay you back with dozens of Monarchs added to the world ... deal?
Bob, that's a total deal! Exactly why I made these videos. Hoping to find those interested in getting involved. Glad to hear it's J-hanging, though if all is going well, it's a chrysalis as I type this. Careful...this is addicting!
The last two days we had a beautiful experience as our two 5 year old granddaughters each released their two monarchs. Thank you again for making this possible with your wonderful series of videos!
This is a lovely exchange, and I have had the same experience, Bob, I have given away 6 chrysalides thus far -- with Mr. Lund's instructions and links -- and my three year-old granddaughter is naming the chrysalides as she carefully helps me hang them. What a simple joy and collecting new leaves every day from different patches of milkweed has gotten me outside walking more, to boot. :) Thank you, Rich.
Your music choices are great
I hatched two or three last year ... need to raise them now ... this is addicting! also plan to get tadpoles this year ... love bull frogs!
Thank You Mr. Lund - I appreciate your guidance!
+Athena D
Guidance Thru Science, y'all...
ua-cam.com/video/BG8noTCZ0K8/v-deo.html
I like this guys videos a lot.
Thank you for these videos! They have been very informative for my 6yo and me. We currently have 3 eggs and 2 maybes, 1 tiny caterpillar, 1 likely in 4th instar, and one likely in 5th. We are excited to help take care of these insects! I hope we do them justice and it's a great learning experience for my child. We also live in Michigan and everything we have found so far has been on common milkweed.
Very cool that your 6 year old is learning to care about the environment at such a young age! Glad I could help. Thanks for helping out the Monarchs...and fair warning - it's addictive!
@@MrLundScience it really is! We now have one hatched egg and the biggest caterpillar is chilling at the top of the container. For the babies, we currently have them in peanut butter jars with paper towel rubber banded to the top. Think that's alright? Picking up a small plastic aquarium today for the bigger ones but I don't think I will be able to move the one that's at the top of the container already.
I think the jar will do the trick just fine.
Great info. Thanks!
sorry rich..false alarm lol..i watched 5 minute's into the video and during the transformation it pinches it's tail off while "chrysalising"..it had me a new monarch parent a little worried lol..great video's and information my friend
Thanks so much for these videos! I bought a milkweed last year that went to seed and I never checked It to see if there were any monarchs on it it but this year one plant grew through the crack and I enjoyed the flowers until I saw 5 large cats chomping away. Didn't know what to do so brought in two and started doing my research on what to do and found you. The next day they went into j hang. Amazing. I went through my garden to search for the others. Three had chysalized in the compost under the lid a few inches above the grass clippings. A big spidery web was under one so I removed It even though I don't think it was more than 12 hours. I left the other two for the 24hrs before moving. I feared the one was under a spider web but could it have created a "hammock" to protect itself? A day or two later, the one under the spider web had a string of web leaking and turned brown (Tachinidae?). The others I hung but they shook a lot! one I dropped (ah) I'm worried I shook them too much and they'll come out deformed. Did I make a mistake in moving the one under the hammock or was it best to move the chrysalis if there are lots of compost flies around? Do they spin webbing to protect themselves. Anyway, Now I'm OBSESSED with taking care of them. !! I'm even keeping the infected one around to see if a fly larva comes out. I hope I didn't shake it to dead when I moved it. Could I have bumped it and made it turn brown? Nature is amazing.Another question, should I take the chysalis outside in their container to get the air / heat of their birth site? My kitchen doesn't have much climate and I was told the elements was healthier but I have to move "shake" them when I do take them outside. Please advise. Thank you!
Part 1 of 2 - This morning we witnessed our first live pupation. ua-cam.com/video/lps4zbCenU0/v-deo.html
Your video on moving chrysalides was helpful. Had to move one that was coming loose from food tent mesh. I released her this morning.
I'm glad it was there for you when you, and especially she, needed it!
To Melissa Whitehead: Sorry that I can't reply to YOUR comment. UA-cam has some bug happening. Thus, I had to leave the comment here that I typed:
Greetings Melissa. I'm sorry that you're having issues with your cats, and I don't know if I fully understand what's going on, but here's some questions and my attempt at some help:
1) You put the cats in containers and then took them inside, and they didn't like the cold... What's the temperature inside your home? Most go with a 70F situation. Even if it's as low as low 60's, that still shouldn't deter them from eating and developing, even if it might make the chemistry a bit slower.
It's possible, too, that they may have not stopped all activity permanently. If they were about to molt, caterpillars cease eating for a day sometimes. If you happened to put them inside when they were coincidentally about to molt, it may have seemed that they stopped all activity when they were really exhibiting normal behaviors before molting. I would advise trying to keep the caterpillars in containers, and if for some reason it really is too cold inside, why not leave the containers outside?
2) Wasps and other predators are definitely a natural reason that not every egg or caterpillar makes it. As in my videos, I don't really ever run into this problem, for once I have the egg, keeping them in containers prevents natural predators from having the chance to get at them.
3) As for when the cats will decide to J-hang, they don't have a for sure indicator to you that they are going to do it necessarily. I've had a few I thought were going to, and then didn't. Still, usually, they start wandering to find a good spot, and then they remain upside down in one place for a few hours
(having already spun much silk to secure themselves) and start the hang. Predicting where they will hang can be tough, but if you give them one or more obvious options (and by obvious, I mean, they can easily find it by just crawling around) they are likely to hang from there. Still, you do get those
rebels who might decide to divert from your plan, and find very interesting places to hang that they are more comfortable with. Again, I don't run into this because of the use of the containers.
In summary, it seems like if you do what I do and show in the video series, the issues you're having won't be able to cause you worry any longer. I know that there are others who let the caterpillars they raise hang out on actual plants in their yard, etc., but if those plants are outside, nature can and will take its course, and that includes predators. Even if our intentions are to help out the natural world, nature need not conform to our hopes and plans. It does require more work to collect fresh leaves and feed the cats in the containers, but the payoff is, you don't lose any to predators, and you (rarely) loose any of the cats due to wandering.
I hope this gives you some help!
Thanks so much for your thorough reply. The temp runs around 74 degrees in my home so I must have just not given them time to do adjust. I'm so grateful for your kind helpful remarks.
#1 The aquarium you show and the grating cover: Do the caterpillars climb the glass to get to the grating and did you purchase that at a Pet Store? Is it for lizards and such perhaps?
#2 Okay, I'm an "old gal" so it's hard to change course but I think that's what I've got to do.
Well, now one than two fair sized cats started wandering. They acted like they wanted out of the pot. I had that plastic grating (openings just the size of a full sized cat) in with the plant but they were not interested. One managed to climb onto the porch screen but I just wasn't able to leave him there wandering. It gets very hot there full sun in the p.m. hours.
I've made a tupperware tub with paper towel moistened and put a piece of the plastic screen mesh in there supporting itself. It's inside on my dining table. Got leaves in there but they are not interested in eating.
Best I can do right now. This activity has a 'huge' learning curve.
I have no problem giving thorough replies, especially those who are willing to help out with this cause! So thank you for what you are doing!
As for the containers, I did buy the one with the green lid at a pet store. It's normally for small lizards, hermit crabs, etc. They are WAY more expensive than they should be. Ridiculously priced for being just plastic. So, yeah, if you can make your own with tupperware, go for it. However, ventilation IS definitely important for good health, and to help prevent too much moisture building up, causing mold to grow on leaves.
Have you seen Part 3 of this series? In that video, I show how I'll keep the young ones in "to go" food containers. I do that to prevent what you describe - so as they do not get out through the grating (cause they WILL if you give them the chance to).
That video is here: ua-cam.com/video/sJU8-FpGI78/v-deo.html
And if you haven't, check out all Parts 1 - 5. There's a good wealth of info there that may answer questions before you even knew you had them. Thanks for what you're doing, and as more questions pop up, bring them here and I'll do the best I can!
Good job with the tupperware! I feel that it's important to keep this activism as low cost as possible. If it has a minimal price tag, more are willing to get involved.
Believe it or not, 'Teach' I viewed all your videos before writing you and was just saying to hubbie I've got to go back and review those videos again. I an sure I will be reviewing them for some time. I'm a former first grade teacher (10 yrs.) so I do know about reading comprehension and all those blasted questions!!! :) You are a good teach to be so patient and helpful with newbies to the Monarch world.
Hubbie went up in attic and brought down an old aquarium and purchased a top.It's not like yours but I think it'll do. Of course I don't think cats can climb glass so I've done some inventive things to help them climb to the screening of the cover.
I've transferred the two wanderers to this on the back porch. In the coolest part of the porch. While they were in there emergency tupperware in the cool of our house AGAIN they did nothing. No movement--all day. As soon as I transferred them to the porch enclosure they went right up to the grid. ??????
INTERESTING NOTE: The mature cats did NOT like being transferred off the plant to the aquarium. Your way from cradle to flight must keep all the critters satisfied with their conditions. I just can't express enough how these cats responded to the aquarium. Uh-uh. Oh no. They were furious. They careened into each other and (bit?) each other thinking it was a leaf and some just did somersaults for awhile. I'm wondering if they have 'a thing' about being 'grounded' so to speak. Not liking the touch of the paper towel perhaps?
The only thing that settled them down was I noticed they all went to the one 5 "milkweed branch I had put in their container along with a number of good single leaves. So I cut a few more twigs w leaves attached and propped them up and all have settled down for hopefully a good night.
Anyway! This has been quite a day for me. Here's hoping tomorrow goes a little smoother. Thanks for listening. It means alot. I do not think I could have continued 'figuring' out solutions without your intervention/tips etc.
I wish you had a blog or FB page but I guess this is work enough what with your own Monarch responsibilities.
Anyway, Thanks Mr. Lund!!!
amazing and inspirational!!!
I can only agree. The Monarchs have inspired multiple aspects of my life at this point.
Very informative.
I have a swamp milkweed that on June 29th I went outside to water my plants and on one of my watering containers there was a 1 in or a little bit smaller monarch caterpillar on it. So I went and looked at my milkweed and I had at least 100 caterpillars all different sizes but no bigger than that 1 inch, so since then I have kept my eye on the plant and the caterpillars in the majority of them have disappeared and moved on and done their last stages elsewhere or I know I had found numerous ones crawling on the ground that got knocked off the plant. Today July 5th I came home quickly from work at about 1:30 checked out the two that I have in their container and checked out the ones plant and they were all munching away and crawling around and some were sleeping. I got home about 8 p.m. from work and I found 1 on the plant in its J form and the two in their container in their J form. I am so stoked and so excited, I have loved monarchs since I was a little girl and through Elementary every year my project was on monarchs. So you can imagine my excitement when I seen these three in their J form, which is odd to me to see one on its plant that it grew up on because the majority of them go about 30 feet from where they grew up to form their J and turn into chrysalis.
I now have 32 monarch caterpillars 1st and 2nd instar and 11 eggs also 4 crysalides I am very excited because I just started raising them in June
Congrats! That's very cool! It's quite exciting to hear how much you have dived into this! Good luck!
incredible!
I've watched this entire series at least twice now and this is my first time raising monarchs. I have five caterpillars that have all crawled to the top of their container. The top is wire mesh and the cats all hatched just over two weeks ago. They have been on the top like this all day and I am wondering just how long before they go into the 'J-hang'? I'll feel so much better when I see that happening. Many thanks for putting together these videos.
Oops!!! During the time I was writing my above comment, one went into the J-hang! Oh happy day!
Yesterday, the "big guy" from this video went into J-hang. It's confirmed, he was 5th Instar at the time of making this video and finding him in the field.
I am happy to report that I have five chrysalides and one in J-hang. Woo-hoo! I'm batting 1,000! I've watched your videos all several times through this process and I'll be watching the last one again in about 10 days. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Beautiful! I hope I can have similar success with my three remaining, struggling python eggs in a few weeks!
@@MrLundScience what’s the best temperature for them?? I am in Louisiana and got a few in the spring but just recently found about 30 caterpillars on my milkweed plants in September and we’ve been having some nights in the 50’s. What should I do?? I have them in a tent that has a bucket of milkweed planted in it
Great tips!
Thanks!
Wow! Your videos have been by far the most informative videos on how to raise Monarchs. Thank You!
My question is, I do not have a screened in porch such as yourself, what kind of cage would you recommend, so that I could allow the chrysalides to hang from a string? Thank you and also great choice of music in all your videos!
Thanks Andrea! If I didn't have a screened in porch, the size of a container (and thus, type) would depend upon the number I'd be having in there. I have a python who has grown over the years and needed larger aquariums, so I have some at my disposal. I know that since I already have them, I'd likely be using those. Multiple strings/yarn could be attached to those lids in secure ways that I could clip the chrysalides from. I'd want that large space so that when they emerge if I wasn't home at that time, they'd not be over crowded if more than one came out. I'd also be giving them plenty of surfaces to find and stand on or hang from. When they only have slick surfaces, such as glass or plastic, they tend to keep trying to grab on to something. This extra, added movement can only lead to wing damage. If large aquariums are easily at hand, I suppose I'd be in search of another plastic container like what I already keep the larger caterpillars in, but if I were spending that money, I would figure I might as well get a used aquarium, as I'd find it for probably the same price and it'd provide more space. I hope that helps!
I love your series and was wondering where I might get those clear/green containers you use to raise the monarchs. Can't find them anywhere. Do tell--please!!
Thank you for this amazing series, I just wanted to know the ideal temperature for a chrysalis, should they be placed under sunlight? and important Do's and Dont's.
This video series are so well made, informative, easy to follow and a pleasure to watch. I’m only wondering about the best temperature for raising Monarchs? Thank you 😊
Hey Rob. Thanks for the kind words. As for the "best" temperature, it depends upon how you are defining "best". If we are just saying that "best" would mean temperatures where the caterpillars / chrysalides are healthy, then "best" can be anywhere from 70s to high 80s, but keep in mind, that doesn't mean 60s or 90s are necessarily bad either. The Monarchs are just more comfortable in these summer weather temps. Meanwhile, if the temperatures are cooler, 60s and low 70s, the caterpillars will have a slower metabolism, and eat food less quickly and take longer to reach chrysalis. For some, where milkweed isn't as easy to come by, this is preferred to give them time to go get more milkweed from sources they know around them that aren't easily nearby. That would make those temperatures "best". But, if you're hoping to push as many as possible through your process, 80s and 90s would be "best", getting the chemistry to run faster and having them reach the chrysalis stage a few days earlier than at cooler temperatures. Hope that helps!
MrLundScience Hi I have further temperature/location question. If warmer is better, is sunshine required? If I bring the eggs and am raising indoors I have the house a/c on so I suspect it’s too cold. I have them by a window so perhaps it’s 75-78 max if the sun is shining. Should I move this to my garage where it’s definitely warmer? But less sunshine. Looks like your hanging string is in a Sun room?
Amazing videos, thank u! Any way you could make a short video of the last part to share as a psa?
I am really learning a lot from your videos. Thank you. If you decide to do another video, may I recommend the song "Cousin Caterpillar" by Incredible String Band?
I don't use music I don't own these days for videos. Back when I made these, I didn't fully understand how UA-cam works with such things. Usually it just means that the copyright holder will earn revenue from your video, which isn't a big deal in my opinion. But it can also mean that down the road, the copyright holder could tell UA-cam to shut down any videos containing that music, and just like that, poof, they're taken down. I doubt that will happen with any of these, but still, it caused me to want to always own everything in my video production so that it's a risk I need not worry about. But I checked out the song you recommended, and gosh, that's a fun song! I agree, it'd perfectly go with certain scenes in Monarch vids.
Interesting to me that the Ad below this video is for Round Up. Love the work you doing. My whole yard has been converted to pollinator friendly and native plants. Never tried this but giving it serious thought
Yeah, there's been a few times that Round Up ads have shown up there and people have commented about it...
Usually UA-cam wants to take ads off of questionable, slightly adult themed, or controversial videos. I doubt they have anyone looking into what pesticide companies might not want their ads featured on.
Hi, Kathleen! I could not resist telling you that it would be a great thing to try out since your yard is a healthy place for all living things, especially in this world of chemically treated yards, land, etc. I imagine you can grow milkweed as well! We have been "organic" for 25 yrs. on our little horse farm, now without horses, thus we have paddocks w/ wild milkweed growing just a short hike from the front door.
We have had Monarch Butterflies come to the perennial garden for the flowering things, and the milkweed that I started growing in the gardens! After seeing some caterpillars in the "wild" this year I and reading that only 10% of Monarchs make it when raised outside, I knew it would be helpful to at least give it a shot, with the guidance of this video series and the kind Mr.LundScience~ finding the 3 caterpillars I have now, (one sadly died since, I believe he was injured after I found him crawling loose off of the leaves in the cage!),but the others are healthy) was exciting. I am new at this and have fallen in love with the 2 caterpillars having them inside, in a butterlfy net cage where we can watch them, easily find a way to check them, while I put in new fresh milkweed branches/leaves (I have a technique using water pics like used at the florist, then insert them into a base form like laboratories use.
Next if we are lucky they will attach to the ceiling of their home, J-hook and become the last step as a chrysalis. I can't imagine how stunning an experience it will be as the butterflies emerge! Good luck! This guy answers people's many questions, too, as do others.
Thanks for the informative video. I found a monarch egg about three weeks ago and this is my first time taking care of a caterpillar. It has been about 17 days since it hatched, but it's still not doing the J hang. It's still eating and pooping a lot. I have a net on the top of a jar and a few sticks in the jar for it to hang. Sometimes it stays on a top or the stick for a long time, but it would go back to eating again. Do you have any idea what is going on? Is it normal to take that long? Thank you very much!
Help! I absolutely don't know what I'm doing and am so grateful for any help. I have the cats at different stages on one very large plant in a pot on my back western facing porch. I'd tried putting them in containers from info found online but in my air conditioned home in Florida I think they did not like the cold. (They just stopped all activity!! Thought they would die) So I brought the plant that was in a pot onto the porch.
This all happened because as I'm studying my year old plant I find the cats disappearing and eventually actually witness a wasp staking out the plant limb for limb for cats and attacking and eating them. Crazy!!
Question: I just know from the size of one of these cats that they are going to be looking for a place to hang? Will they hang on the branches of this plant? I've stuck a piece of plastic grid that I made into a cylinder shape and secured it to the soil so that it won't move but will this be sufficient?
I'm petrified I've saved all these beautiful critters from 'evil' Mr./Ms. Wasp and will end of ending their lives myself!!!
What to do? What to do? Omg. Thank you in advance for your help.
Thanks for the great videos! I live in North Carolina and I have been raising Monarch caterpillars in my sunroom this summer. I have 12 beautiful seemingly perfect Chrysalis. There are 2 that have reached Day 10 today and the chrysalis is barely clarifying yet. The temps have been cooler than normal for the past week (66-70 degrees) but the room hasn't been below 60 at night. Should I do anything or add heat to the room? The high today is supposed to be 75 but is dipping to 68 later this week I am concerned about these coming out, it would break my heart if they didn't. Does the clarification stage happen quickly? Thank you in advance.
We really enjoyed your video and had success raising four Monarch this year. We were wondering where you got the green containers/cages you used in your video?
Glad you were able to use the videos! As for the containers, it's been long enough to where it's accurate to say, I don't honestly remember. However, such containers I have seen for sale at Meijer, Walmart, Pet Smart, Pet Co, and other non-chain pet shops. Look around for deals to keep the cost low, as these are just about always over-priced for what it actually costs to produce them. Good luck!
Mark Wallace where did you get containers
My cat made her chrysalis today. Cant wait to see her hatch
According to my records, it's between 9 and 14 days, depending upon temperature (the warmer, the faster). The average is 11.24.
Enjoy!
Fantastic
Aren't they?
Great info. Love your footage. What are you using for a time lapse devise? I have one chrysalis I have hanging now.
For time lapse, it's not so much a device as it is an available feature on my video editing program. Many video editing software allows you to speed up or slow down video.
Is their a reason you like the plastic cages instead of the “silk screen” type ones? I’m just getting into this myself and was wondering about the choice of cage. I’m not saying you’re wrong by any means. Was just interested on your opinion. I ordered two of the silk/mesh type screen ones today. I was just curious if there was a reason behind your choice. Thank you. Great videos. I enjoyed all 5 parts and I’m so excited to get this going.
The tents can work too. I had these containers already, and that's partially why. For outdoor rearing, I use the mesh tents, as seen here: ua-cam.com/video/LjEgU0Ub5hY/v-deo.html
7:05 - you said that when a female comes out, she needs to dry her wings. Is it not the same with the male?
Also, when I transfer my chrysalids, I use scotch tape to hang them in a better spot in the reptile container. I have too many critters running around my house to leave them exposed.
Oh my watch at 5:00 so incredible
magical!
It's been said, there is no science that at one point, wasn't considered magic. It's definitely magical, and I think learning about it and understanding the intricacies of it, only adds to the beauty.
We had two J-Hanging but this morning, one fell from its attachment piece and bled to death but before was still trying to pupae but didn't make it. Jasmine and Belle were hanging, but Jasmine hatched the day after Belle but Jasmine is the one button first while Belle was eating still. not long after that though Belle went to look for an estate. So as of August 1st 2017, we lost one. We thought we share.
Sorry to hear that occurred. It can happen from time to time. Stay with it, though. There is, unfortunately, loss along the way, but you'll have your successes as well.
Hi Rich, I’m not sure if you still read comments from this site. It’s early January 2022, (TX monarchs are confused due to our extremely odd hard freeze in Feb ‘21 (as low as 7 degrees in an 8a zone, which killed our milkweed to the ground). Currently I have six caterpillars I brought in due to 24 degree lows, one went chrysalis last night, three went into j-hanging yesterday afternoon, but one has fallen from his j-hang (I bought a crappy Amazon mesh cage and he didn’t hold, this morning I ran out and got a lizard tote like yours). Is there anyway to save the one that’s fallen? He tries to crawl but his back legs are froze. Have you ever dealt with this? Any suggestions?
incredible
Fantastic video! I have my first cat on a milkweed that is almost denuded. Where did you get the storage container for the chrysalis?
The storage containers I've used came from your typical PetCo or PetSmart retailer, though they are available at many pet stores. Even so, they are usually overpriced. They're around $25 for that size, which is a large price considering how little it costs to make them. A well ventilated plastic food storage container is more cost effective, and I'd be more apt to use those if the ones I have ever need replacing.
What is the ideal temperature for 1st instar till enclose? Also does humidity matter? I have monitors in all my cages. This is only my second year but I have become TOTALLY OBSESSED! I have also placed fans near by if I start to see the humidity over 80% THANK YOU 😊
If my chrysalides are close to the edge of the mesh cage should I move them? They are almost touching the wall thanks for ur info it is spot on!!!! And has helped so much!
Same here! What did you do?
Thanks.
Do you list any troubleshooting resources where I can send a photo? I'm on my fourth chrysalis (just before I knew about OE bleach treating eggs) and it doesn't quite look right. Not 100% clear yet on NPV, tachnid flies, wasps, etc. (I am in Venice, CA.) Thanks & keep on rockin' in the (almost) free world.
I will be using a zip up mesh for the chrysalis. How do you suggest hanging them in there? Ty :)
Since I haven't used such a mesh, the honest answer would be, I don't know.
But, if it's mesh, my guess is there's room for a yarn, or other string to lace through the mesh and secure? So, I'd rig that up and hang them the way I normally hang mine on such string. Not saying that's the best way, but it's the way I know how to do it, and likely, that's what I'd do in your situation.
I've been watching all your videos, but didn't catch if you mentioned what the gold spots and the gold ring towards the top turn into. It's been on my mind for a couple of years now. There is some speculation they could be ports for oxygen? Thanks!
Hey Kristie,
I'm not sure about the ports for oxygen part, as the entire chrysalis is "breathable" for gases (but not liquids) to some extent. Still, there could be something new discovered about them that I'm not aware of. There are other butterflies that incorporate the same gold coloration in their chrysalides, though. In fact, there's a couple that incorporate an entire gold and reflective coloration. Biologists still debate the evolutionary advantage. Some side with the idea that the high reflectivity confuses birds to not see it as prey. Some think that such is only true in the heavily golded ones, and something like the Monarch's is more meant to sparkle like dew on a leaf. The debate goes on.
I hope that helps!
Hi Rich, I have a 5th instar that hasn't eaten for two days, and has been wandering around the cage (smaller version of yours, worked great for the first two) for two days now...! settled up top last night, thru the night, so I thought today I'd see it J, but mid morning I found it back down in the leaves, wandering around, constantly up and down the walls. Should I try a new cage/container if it doesn't seem to want to settle down in this one? At this point the only change from the last two is the past two weeks it's getting darker sooner, and the temp is going down a bit in here, as the heat isn't kicking on just yet, but... that's about it! Any brilliant novice insights? ;)
If it's still moving around, continue to offer food. If it eats, that's of course good news. If not, I don't know much else that you can do to encourage it to go into chrysalis other than yes, try a new location. It may just be a picky one when it comes to finding the "right spot" to hang from.
Can a caterpillar be moved once it’s hanging from top with silk? It is attached to the lid that I need to open to clean out the enclosure.
Hi Mr. Lund, Question, one of my Chrysalides fell. We noticed it in the dirt of our potted MilkWeed. She was at the end of forming her Chrysalis, so we left her alone. However, she doesn't have any silk at the end of her chrysalis to hang her back up. What do I do??? Right now I have her laying on a napkin inside the potted milkweed. Thank you, Sherri
Thank you very much for these videos. They've helped a ton and I have 7 currently in chrysalis. My question is, where would you recommend hanging the yarn with chrysalides if you don't have a screened in porch? I figured outside was the better place since they might emerge while I'm at work and be stuck in the house. Are they in danger from pests in the garden at this point?
+Jesse Reynolds
My outside screened in porch was a bonus with the house we bought. We didn't plan on having it, and that first year was also the first year I started really taking monarchs more serious. It was all a great coincidence. If it had not been there, I would still be hanging them outside. Once in the chrysalis, it's pretty safe from your average pests. I can't say it's impossible for them to come to harm from something, but nothing that wouldn't naturally be a factor. Being hung from one yarn rather than a shrub or tree is a bit better for them, unless of course you have those acrobatic squirrels in your area who love to play on tight ropes! Good luck!
Out of curiosity
do you notice any night time activity from the chrisalides? Or is it mainly daytime activity, or both?
I started my butterfly garden today and want to help these critters make it through the growing pains :D
+Betta Fish
To be honest, after the skin is molted and the casing has hardened, I notice no activity, be it day or night, other than blowing a bit in the wind. I suppose I should be more accurate and say, the activity I do see is about 24 hours before it emerges when the casing fades from green to translucent and you can see the orange/black wing patterns through the casing.
beautiful :)
What if the old caterpillar body doesn't fall off once the chrysalis is formed? Will that create an issue with eclosing?
I live on the Texas Gulf coast. Seems we have had a warm start to winter. Temps in the 70's. I have a lot of butterfly weed. I notice these past few days I have MANY monarch caterpillars. There are so many that about all the weed leaves have been eaten. I'm beginning to see them in their chrystilis . Hanging everwhere. We're due for a cold/near freeze wave this weekend (3 days). My question . . Can they survive 32 degree temps.??!!
Once I had 100 monarch cats in a 30 gal aquarium. The cats that were still feeding ate some of the crysalids that had already dried because they ran out of food while I was at work. It was a little disturbing....
Thanks Mr. Lund - your videos are very helpful. Yesterday I collected 7 eggs and I can already see that several of them are showing the ridged surface that was apparent in your video on hatching. My question is what to do if I find a caterpillar in the 5th stage. I left him on the milkweed plant, but should I have brought him inside?
Hey Carol. It's up to you what you wish to do with any of the caterpillars. It's not a wrong choice to leave it to nature, but I try to mostly not operate in the thinking of "wrong" or "right" in the decision of how much aid we wish to give. It's always up to the individual what they wish to do to help, and what level of commitment they wish to enter. I will say that the mortality rate of Monarchs is pretty high in nature, with a 10% or less chance of making it from egg to successful adult. However, that mortality rate is the highest at the egg stage and the early instar stages. If it's made it to 5th instar, that's certainly safer than being at 1st or 2nd instar (or being still an egg). So, there's a much better chance it made it than just seeing an egg and leaving it be. We can't always second guess ourselves like this, either. For example, I know of a few milkweed places that I have checked in the past that I haven't checked in a few weeks. I know that there's a high probability that there's eggs and maybe cats on those milkweed plants right now. So, even though I didn't see them, did I still choose to leave them there if I don't go look at those plants tomorrow? We have to gauge what level of commitment we can provide, and still have time for our own lives too. If we overdue it, if anything, that could discourage us from doing it in the future. It's better for someone to take care of, say, 15 a year for multiple years than go for 50 in one year and get burned out and never do it again.
When you transfer the caterpillars into the animal cage, are the caterpillars big enough so that ants can’t eat them? I try to keep ants out of my house but I have flowering bushes around my house foundation & I don’t use pesticides, so they do suddenly show up sometimes. They’d be able to get into the cage through the slots.
1) If you take in eggs that hatch on common milkweed & then eat common leaves, but you start to run out of common leaves, can those caterpillars switch over to swamp milkweed leaves? Will they recognize it & will it hurt them?
2) Can caterpillars be raised from eggs in an interior room of a house that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight? Or do the require a relatively sunny room with lots of windows? I’m thinking of keeping the caterpillars in a room away from an overly inquisitive cat.
Thanks
Hi. My caterpillar decided to hang right under the test tube casing so its head area or the bottom of the j is touching a piece of plastic from the test tube holding case. Should I move him?
Hello, i´m in Guatemala been watching your videos and have trouble with a chrysalide that didn´t finish forming, is ther anything I can do?
Greetings Dina! I'm sorry, but I'm unaware if there is a solution to this. I too have had caterpillars that just seem to stop halfway through the forming of the chrysalis. If I notice this to happen when it happens in the future, I think I might try to very carefully help cut the skin with my surgical scissors. I only would attempt this because I have such a tool to be careful with, and only if I saw it happening at the time. I don't think that it would be much of a help an hour or two later. I could be wrong though. In the future, if this happens, I want to try and find a way to help with that situation, if there is a way. So, it's a bit in the research stage. For now, all I can say is that it does happen, and many of us have been there before. Sorry that this happened.
love the background music..
btw,, I am raising monarchs but they all have been falling without to much web to hang them. what do I do? I leave in Florida. miami. can I raise them laying down inside the house.. but iam worry about he ac.. please help.
can you please tell me about the container you use for the j-hanging stage? Can it be purchased on amazon? Let's hope 2018 is a better year for your migrating friends! thanks for what you do!
It's honestly been such a long time, I'm not even sure where I originally purchased that one. I originally bought it because I was caring for a late hatched snapping turtle a fellow teacher brought to me. He found the hatchling in November, and a bitter freeze was coming the next week. No way that lil' tyke was going to be hibernating someplace safe by then.
When I type into Google "Plastic Terrarium", many options come up that are quite comparable to the one in the video, but I can't find this specific one. Sorry. But give that a shot, and I'm sure something that would suit your needs is there.
Have you ever had one that stopped mid way through the changing process?
Question. When the caterpillars are on the top (ceiling) of the enclosure will they be coming back down to eat or will they stay until they J hang?
I need to know if I should put more milkweed in there. Thanks!
They need to make a secure silk button to J-hang from, and this only happens after they've felt comfortable and undisturbed enough to select that spot. Once they've made that button, though, unless it's severely disturbed, it's a sealed deal and the J-hanging will be happening. (If there's some extreme exceptions to this, I admit, they may be possible and I'm unaware of them.) So, if we see them at the top, that could mean that they are getting ready to J-hang, but it could also mean they just needed to take a break and get away from it all. I'd leave them undisturbed, though, if that's feasible, until you see them hanging, or you see them moving about again. I hope this helps!
I am very interested in where you purchased the roof for the chrysalils to hang from? I have multiple types of Asclepius and intend to raise caterpillars next spring. Currently, I have one chrysalis in my fish tank hanging from a branch.
The plastic containers I've used are types of critter carriers (not sure that that is the real name for them) and usually are available at pet stores that deal with small animals. However, caterpillars can be inventive and determined. I've had plenty form a chrysalis on other lids that don't have the same groves/ventilation, but instead were smooth plastic. It's all about that silk they produce.
Not monarch related but that’s a cool shirt! Mind if you tell me where it’s from?
So, you might have to pause the video to see it, but that mostly square shape is an ambigram. It says "St. Johns Science Olympiad". Then, if you reverse it 180 degrees, it still says "St. Johns Science Olympiad". This was a shirt for our Science Olympiad Team at the school I teach at, and am the coach for. The team has allowed me to design the shirt each year, as I did with this one. Ambigrams are fun!
I found a chrysalis on my fodder shock I got to decorate for fall....it’s getting cool now, will it still have time to mature and fly away?
When mine come out they climb all over me when they are in the chrysalis I wet my fingers and I touched the outside of the crystal is just barely Wayne just enough so I don't stick to it and when they come out they must know me because then I have pictures movies that are climbing all over my face down my arms my legs my hands especially but when the female comes out she just flutters all over my hands she'll just stay there and flutter and flutter so I guess she's drying her wings I didn't know that I was just so happy to have her there