After getting 40 swallowtail caterpillars this year, and scrambling for food here at the end, I'm definitely going to be planting a lot more parsley next year!
Fantastic Lori! Yes, as it cools off their development takes longer. I'm pretty much done for the season. Waiting for one more monarch to emerge than I'm done!
I prefer parsley because it’s more sturdy than dill. In an emergency, I can buy organic parsley at the store and put in bud vases and it holds up very well, unlike dill
I agree about the parsley, but my caterpillars are a bit choosy and don't like parsley as much as dill/fennel. Also, I don't trust the store that even if it says organic. They still are sprayed with BT. You could ask, but the stores usually don't know what I'm talking about lol.
Once my Monarchs are 1" long I put them in a similar cage to you hanging outside my kitchen door. I have made a dowel post with small flower tube holders so my fresh cut milkweed resemble the plant itself. When the leaves dry out a bit I replace them individually as needed. The caterpillers stay out there until they emerge as Monarchs butterflies. I want to plant food for swallowtails next year and try rearing them too. My latest single find is going into chrysalis so I expect it will be overwintering now do you think. I live in Southern Ontario Canada.
Sounds like an awesome setup. I really want to build something outside and not bring them inside at all. Maybe a winter project. And yes, your swallowtail might be an overwinter swallowtail. Good luck! 🍀
Oh my, Debbie, growing in pots looks great. Is it best to leave the eggs where they are to hatch as this looks a lot more delicate than Monarch eggs. What area do you live in for planting etc.
Yes, I leave the eggs on the dill, parsley whatever they are laid on until they emerge if they're in pots. If they were in my vege pod i leave them, especially the 1st round of swallowtails. I let them go into a chrysalis on the top of the enclosure and release. When it's starts getting to late July/ August I bring them in and put them in the paper towel roll. I'm in zone 5B southwest suburbs of Chicago.
I live in manitoba, Canada and my son and i brought in one of these caterpillars. How do we take care of it inside? Do they need water? In simple terms please and thank you. Or is it better for me just to put it back in the garden? Dont want to end up killing it.
Hello! Thanks for your comment and question. What were the caterpillars on when you found them. If they were on their "host" plant (what they eat...like dill, fennel, parsley) I would leave it if there's enough. Otherwise you can put a little in a floral tube with water. They don't need water. They get their water from their food. If you don't have any of their host plants, I wouldn't recommend buying from the store (even organic) as they do treat with pesticides and will definitely kill them. Best to grow your own without the use of pesticides. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi Debbie, I have had a Black Swallowtail in chrysalis for over a week now. Is it likely to be in winter hibernation. Should I make the pouch and put it in the shed or wait a little longer. I am in Southern Ontario Canada and temperature will be in low 20c for at least 2 more weeks
After getting 40 swallowtail caterpillars this year, and scrambling for food here at the end, I'm definitely going to be planting a lot more parsley next year!
Fantastic Lori! Yes, as it cools off their development takes longer. I'm pretty much done for the season. Waiting for one more monarch to emerge than I'm done!
I prefer parsley because it’s more sturdy than dill. In an emergency, I can buy organic parsley at the store and put in bud vases and it holds up very well, unlike dill
I agree about the parsley, but my caterpillars are a bit choosy and don't like parsley as much as dill/fennel. Also, I don't trust the store that even if it says organic. They still are sprayed with BT. You could ask, but the stores usually don't know what I'm talking about lol.
Once my Monarchs are 1" long I put them in a similar cage to you hanging outside my kitchen door. I have made a dowel post with small flower tube holders so my fresh cut milkweed resemble the plant itself. When the leaves dry out a bit I replace them individually as needed. The caterpillers stay out there until they emerge as Monarchs butterflies. I want to plant food for swallowtails next year and try rearing them too. My latest single find is going into chrysalis so I expect it will be overwintering now do you think. I live in Southern Ontario Canada.
Sounds like an awesome setup. I really want to build something outside and not bring them inside at all. Maybe a winter project. And yes, your swallowtail might be an overwinter swallowtail. Good luck! 🍀
Oh my, Debbie, growing in pots looks great. Is it best to leave the eggs where they are to hatch as this looks a lot more delicate than Monarch eggs. What area do you live in for planting etc.
Yes, I leave the eggs on the dill, parsley whatever they are laid on until they emerge if they're in pots. If they were in my vege pod i leave them, especially the 1st round of swallowtails. I let them go into a chrysalis on the top of the enclosure and release. When it's starts getting to late July/ August I bring them in and put them in the paper towel roll. I'm in zone 5B southwest suburbs of Chicago.
I live in manitoba, Canada and my son and i brought in one of these caterpillars. How do we take care of it inside? Do they need water? In simple terms please and thank you. Or is it better for me just to put it back in the garden? Dont want to end up killing it.
Hello! Thanks for your comment and question. What were the caterpillars on when you found them. If they were on their "host" plant (what they eat...like dill, fennel, parsley) I would leave it if there's enough. Otherwise you can put a little in a floral tube with water. They don't need water. They get their water from their food. If you don't have any of their host plants, I wouldn't recommend buying from the store (even organic) as they do treat with pesticides and will definitely kill them. Best to grow your own without the use of pesticides. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
I have about 25 caterpillars on a parsley plant near a hand rail. How can I encourage them to make their chrysalis on the rail?
Hello! You really can't force them to make a chrysalis in a certain place. They definitely do their own thing finding a place to make a chrysalis.
Hi Debbie, I have had a Black Swallowtail in chrysalis for over a week now. Is it likely to be in winter hibernation. Should I make the pouch and put it in the shed or wait a little longer. I am in Southern Ontario Canada and temperature will be in low 20c for at least 2 more weeks
Hello! I would think they'll overwinter but i usually hang them near an open window until the last week of September