Hey, so good seeing you and will catch up on the various ones…loved seeing and learning about the new pups, though I feel what you have been going through losing those 2 who were your family, too….wrote in comments on that video just saw you today. Ok if you could please write back would really appreciate your advice about when to release butterflies in this stormy weather. I have been wild-raising each year, thanks to your teaching videos, and this is a great one counting mostly all at once of 100 and 12 + cages…so here is the challenge: 4 M. B.s just eclosed today and really wanting to fly; they will be facing a bit of rain for 2 days, Tues., Wed., then Hurricane hits Florida Thurs…Friday here we are in Piedmont of N. C., hopefully not much happening, rain/winds will be gone on Sat. And of course I’m concerned to keep them that long. It’s predicted it be as far east as Charlotte, N. C. Still rain rain rain through Friday…any advice cause have a lot of Lantana and other flowers here, but should I let them go? Surely the terrible storms take a toll of the migratory M. B.s but also realize they may hide out but at least start warming up and making some time heading south. Take care, and thanks for any advice. p.s. yes! I have experienced and successfully cared for a few about 3-4 weeks when were unable to fly due to their wings. Thanks again…Debbie
That looks like an easier way to test, and an even stronger reason why cages have to be cleaned and sanitized if they are used for hatching several generations. It also explains why wild caught rescues have to be raised separately. This is the first year I found wild cats in my backyard. One actually made it to 5th instar on the worst bit of fallen over, ant and aphid infested milkweed. This particular plant was also weekly buffeted by a lawnmower. I think the only way the cat survived was because his mama laid that egg so close to the ground that the wasps couldn’t find him (wasps patrol the tops and exposed middles). I took him in and he’s now a perfect looking chrysalis. I’ll edit this comment when he hatches out next week. Side note - I found seven other wild cats on other fallen over, ant infested, lower milkweed….and now I wonder if wind storms and toppled milkweed are part of the process. Another observation, male monarches aggressively protecting a food source; they attack any flying insect. Planting milkweed with nectar source plants might deter some wasp predation for backyard habitat growers in suburban locations. I always think of the diversified plant make up of a natural, windswept meadow…perhaps the aggressive nature of male monarchs serves an evolutionary purpose…they protect their young and possibly deter overcrowding in limited resource (milkweed) areas.
Hey love your channel and content. It’s great to see an educator who takes seriously their presence and impact in the lives of others. Thanks for being curious, creative and inspirational with your life. This year 3 males and one female returned to my yard. My yard is a registered site. So far no OE. But some deformities that statistically increase with the amount. I purchased some from an online site. Can you discuss imprinting on humans instead of milkweed (impact of human intervention). Can you redo euthanizing and how to be humane. Can you also discuss the sooty black fungus that sometimes appears with aphids. Due to excessive rain in NYC I experienced this. I cleaned the milkweed with a brush and baking soda/soap mix. Do you add aspirin to make a milk weed cutting last longer. For the aphids I purchased lady birds and the cinnamon helped. Question for you. Maybe I missed it congrats on the weight loss or should I be concerned for your health. No shade or disrespect. Just curious. Hope all is good Q.
So the butterfly successfully emerged but you found spores after? Nothing can be done at this point, correct? Will the butterfly now lay all infected eggs?
Great question and video. I wasn’t able to test everyone from my final (forever final, I’m in FL and I read Dr. Davis’ open letter to Floridians🤯) batch because I tried to give them a wild experience but now I’m going to go home and test some of the chrysalides I have! 😢
I’m a Floridian and just googled the open letter you mentioned. It was crushing to read, but I appreciate the insight. I had no idea Florida could be the cause of soaring cases elsewhere. Thank you.
I raised one successfully a few years ago but have not found any among the oodles of milkweed that I have. I have seen only ten in my area this year. Finger lakes region. I would like to raise more but cannot find any to help. When I go online it continues to lead to the painted lady butterfly. The stink bug are the Monarchs number one predator and they have even vanished. I also raised around ten Black Swallowtail butterflies this but this year seen none on my dill
I've raised swallowtails for the last few years, and this year, I found two eggs. I brought them in, and they didn't hatch. I haven't found anymore on my orange tree 😢.
@@Monarch_girl it happens sometimes, if you want to attract more swallowtail species try different host plants: savethemonarchbutterfly.ca/What-Caterpillars-Eat.pdf
Thank you for showing us the microscope, too. Very helpful and informative. We are in Grand Rapids, MI, and have only had three cats this season. One released, one died, one in stage 3 instar currently. Questions: 1. Did you also test the butterflies whose chrysalises you tested? Can you make a video and show us what a HEALTHY MONARCH looks like under the microscope? 2. Did you euthanize them? 3. What are the chances that the other butterflies in the same tent also have OE just from being in the same tent? 4. Can you also do a video on MILKWEED YELLOWS the bacteria. I am afraid my milkweed is infected. Thank you for all that you do!
Do you know if they have OE if they get out of their chrysalis and their wings are perfect but the chrysalis is stuck around the abdomen (making them unable to fly - I've tried to gently remove). I've seen that several times this year both in a cage and also outside on our milkweed. Thank you for showing us what to look for.
Hey, so good seeing you and will catch up on the various ones…loved seeing and learning about the new pups, though I feel what you have been going through losing those 2 who were your family, too….wrote in comments on that video just saw you today. Ok if you could please write back would really appreciate your advice about when to release butterflies in this stormy weather. I have been wild-raising each year, thanks to your teaching videos, and this is a great one counting mostly all at once of 100 and 12 + cages…so here is the challenge: 4 M. B.s just eclosed today and really wanting to fly; they will be facing a bit of rain for 2 days, Tues., Wed., then Hurricane hits Florida Thurs…Friday here we are in Piedmont of N. C., hopefully not much happening, rain/winds will be gone on Sat. And of course I’m concerned to keep them that long. It’s predicted it be as far east as Charlotte, N. C. Still rain rain rain through Friday…any advice cause have a lot of Lantana and other flowers here, but should I let them go? Surely the terrible storms take a toll of the migratory M. B.s but also realize they may hide out but at least start warming up and making some time heading south. Take care, and thanks for any advice. p.s. yes! I have experienced and successfully cared for a few about 3-4 weeks when were unable to fly due to their wings. Thanks again…Debbie
That is so sad. I only saw 2 Monarchs in my yard this Summer. I have more milkweed this year than in the past.
I saw 4. I've got loads of milkweed. I did notice the birds were always over in these milkweed patches.
That looks like an easier way to test, and an even stronger reason why cages have to be cleaned and sanitized if they are used for hatching several generations.
It also explains why wild caught rescues have to be raised separately.
This is the first year I found wild cats in my backyard. One actually made it to 5th instar on the worst bit of fallen over, ant and aphid infested milkweed. This particular plant was also weekly buffeted by a lawnmower. I think the only way the cat survived was because his mama laid that egg so close to the ground that the wasps couldn’t find him (wasps patrol the tops and exposed middles). I took him in and he’s now a perfect looking chrysalis. I’ll edit this comment when he hatches out next week.
Side note - I found seven other wild cats on other fallen over, ant infested, lower milkweed….and now I wonder if wind storms and toppled milkweed are part of the process. Another observation, male monarches aggressively protecting a food source; they attack any flying insect. Planting milkweed with nectar source plants might deter some wasp predation for backyard habitat growers in suburban locations. I always think of the diversified plant make up of a natural, windswept meadow…perhaps the aggressive nature of male monarchs serves an evolutionary purpose…they protect their young and possibly deter overcrowding in limited resource (milkweed) areas.
Hey love your channel and content. It’s great to see an educator who takes seriously their presence and impact in the lives of others. Thanks for being curious, creative and inspirational with your life. This year 3 males and one female returned to my yard. My yard is a registered site. So far no OE. But some deformities that statistically increase with the amount. I purchased some from an online site.
Can you discuss imprinting on humans instead of milkweed (impact of human intervention). Can you redo euthanizing and how to be humane. Can you also discuss the sooty black fungus that sometimes appears with aphids. Due to excessive rain in NYC I experienced this. I cleaned the milkweed with a brush and baking soda/soap mix. Do you add aspirin to make a milk weed cutting last longer. For the aphids I purchased lady birds and the cinnamon helped.
Question for you.
Maybe I missed it congrats on the weight loss or should I be concerned for your health. No shade or disrespect. Just curious.
Hope all is good Q.
So the butterfly successfully emerged but you found spores after? Nothing can be done at this point, correct? Will the butterfly now lay all infected eggs?
They will lay infected eggs, unfortunately 😢.
Great question and video. I wasn’t able to test everyone from my final (forever final, I’m in FL and I read Dr. Davis’ open letter to Floridians🤯) batch because I tried to give them a wild experience but now I’m going to go home and test some of the chrysalides I have! 😢
I’m a Floridian and just googled the open letter you mentioned. It was crushing to read, but I appreciate the insight. I had no idea Florida could be the cause of soaring cases elsewhere. Thank you.
I raised one successfully a few years ago but have not found any among the oodles of milkweed that I have. I have seen only ten in my area this year. Finger lakes region. I would like to raise more but cannot find any to help. When I go online it continues to lead to the painted lady butterfly. The stink bug are the Monarchs number one predator and they have even vanished. I also raised around ten Black Swallowtail butterflies this but this year seen none on my dill
I've raised swallowtails for the last few years, and this year, I found two eggs. I brought them in, and they didn't hatch. I haven't found anymore on my orange tree 😢.
@@Monarch_girl it happens sometimes, if you want to attract more swallowtail species try different host plants: savethemonarchbutterfly.ca/What-Caterpillars-Eat.pdf
I feel like between environmental factors and the OE problem, they are doomed 😞
Thank you for showing us the microscope, too. Very helpful and informative.
We are in Grand Rapids, MI, and have only had three cats this season. One released, one died, one in stage 3 instar currently.
Questions:
1. Did you also test the butterflies whose chrysalises you tested? Can you make a video and show us what a HEALTHY MONARCH looks like under the microscope?
2. Did you euthanize them?
3. What are the chances that the other butterflies in the same tent also have OE just from being in the same tent?
4. Can you also do a video on MILKWEED YELLOWS the bacteria. I am afraid my milkweed is infected.
Thank you for all that you do!
Yes, I hardly saw them this year, and we have milkweed in our front yard. Makes me sad.
This is true. Humans are destroying the migrating populations, and this started in 1996 with pesticides.
I’ve recently seen two cats in the yard but it’s September in Illinois and not sure they are going to make it to butterfly mode 🤞
Is there any way i can contact you? Im also in michigan and have a question
Do you know if they have OE if they get out of their chrysalis and their wings are perfect but the chrysalis is stuck around the abdomen (making them unable to fly - I've tried to gently remove). I've seen that several times this year both in a cage and also outside on our milkweed. Thank you for showing us what to look for.