It’s not even 10% survival in the wild. Exactly 100% of the cats I have found on all my milkweeds this year have been eaten. That’s tragic! Last year I released nearly 50 last generation monarchs in Sept/Oct. This past week, I found 4 at the same time on 6/13 (about 3/8” long) After the early losses, I decided to bring those in. All four pupated on 6/20. Two of those showed immediate markings of being parasitized!! They were in my house very early on. I had no idea they were vulnerable to wasps that young but apparently they are. I have segregated them. I have a 5th cat right now I collected as an egg. I have some travel coming up soon so I can’t collect any more for a few weeks. Congrats on a successful release
I have searched in my usual spots this summer for caterpillars. A park in Otsego, MN by the Mississippi river. Hassan Park preserve, some rural areas by my house and all my milkweed. I have only found 4 caterpillars. I have two more of these I expect to release later next week. It has been so hot and dry in MN I think it has hurt the amount of monarchs. Good luck with the rest of your summer!
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 I agree the extremely dry season is affecting all species. I have only seen 1 eastern black swallowtail and last year I saw dozens at this time. ☹️ Hope you enjoy your summer and hope we get some good rain soon!
Very nice! Maybe she'll stick around and find a male and lay some eggs for you. I get my monarchs so late in the summer that they must be 3rd generation. And the eggs they lay and turn into butterflies that i raise is usually late September even sometimes October which must be 4th generation heading back south.
I haven't seen many monarchs this summer and I have only found 4 caterpillars. I have searched all over the place. Hopefully July, August and Sept will be better.
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 I also raise black swallowtail butterflies and haven't seen only one. But no eggs and I have parsley planted in different spots all over the yard. And haven't seen now in weeks only that one. Maybe next month.
Not a comment how ever I have a cat that went into chrysalis however after 30 + minutes still hasn't dropped the top (skin) off😢 is this concerning? Is there anything I should do? Thank you 😊
Tammy, a monarch caterpillar hangs in the shape of a J for the first 24 hours. Then it sheds its last layer before turning into a jade green chrysalis.
@davethebutterflyguy9841 it has now been 10 hours since going into chrysalis but still has not dropped off the exoskeleton (skin) not sure what the correct term is? But is this something that I should be considered about? This is only my 3rd year raising but have not had this problem before. Just wanted to also let YOU know that I have learned so much from YOU! Thank you very much for all your help and education! 👍 you rock! ❤️
It’s not even 10% survival in the wild. Exactly 100% of the cats I have found on all my milkweeds this year have been eaten. That’s tragic! Last year I released nearly 50 last generation monarchs in Sept/Oct. This past week, I found 4 at the same time on 6/13 (about 3/8” long) After the early losses, I decided to bring those in. All four pupated on 6/20. Two of those showed immediate markings of being parasitized!! They were in my house very early on. I had no idea they were vulnerable to wasps that young but apparently they are. I have segregated them. I have a 5th cat right now I collected as an egg. I have some travel coming up soon so I can’t collect any more for a few weeks. Congrats on a successful release
I have searched in my usual spots this summer for caterpillars. A park in Otsego, MN by the Mississippi river. Hassan Park preserve, some rural areas by my house and all my milkweed. I have only found 4 caterpillars. I have two more of these I expect to release later next week. It has been so hot and dry in MN I think it has hurt the amount of monarchs. Good luck with the rest of your summer!
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 I agree the extremely dry season is affecting all species. I have only seen 1 eastern black swallowtail and last year I saw dozens at this time. ☹️ Hope you enjoy your summer and hope we get some good rain soon!
Shared to my Scripps Ranch Villages Butterfly Park page! ❤
Thank you Amy. I appreciate your support!
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 anytime!
Very nice! Maybe she'll stick around and find a male and lay some eggs for you. I get my monarchs so late in the summer that they must be 3rd generation. And the eggs they lay and turn into butterflies that i raise is usually late September even sometimes October which must be 4th generation heading back south.
I haven't seen many monarchs this summer and I have only found 4 caterpillars. I have searched all over the place. Hopefully July, August and Sept will be better.
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 I also raise black swallowtail butterflies and haven't seen only one. But no eggs and I have parsley planted in different spots all over the yard. And haven't seen now in weeks only that one. Maybe next month.
Not a comment how ever I have a cat that went into chrysalis however after 30 + minutes still hasn't dropped the top (skin) off😢 is this concerning? Is there anything I should do? Thank you 😊
Tammy, a monarch caterpillar hangs in the shape of a J for the first 24 hours. Then it sheds its last layer before turning into a jade green chrysalis.
@davethebutterflyguy9841 it has now been 10 hours since going into chrysalis but still has not dropped off the exoskeleton (skin) not sure what the correct term is? But is this something that I should be considered about? This is only my 3rd year raising but have not had this problem before. Just wanted to also let YOU know that I have learned so much from YOU! Thank you very much for all your help and education! 👍 you rock! ❤️