Raising Monarchs Part 5 - Releasing Adults (How To Raise Monarch Butterflies)
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- This is Part 5 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 5 provides us a detailed view of the Monarch emerging from the chrysalis, along with some interesting facts about the Monarch anatomy of the adults. Following this, tips on releasing are shown, and a special message to consider about planting milkweed in your area.
Please post comments, questions, and suggestions relating to the video information or your own Monarch Butterfly experiences!
***My apologies for the end of the video being muted.***
In 2014, I wasn't that well versed with RUclips and how copyrights worked with RUclips videos. Most of the time, if you use someone else's music, that just means the record company will put ads on your video and collect revenue from it. I was fine with that. Other times, though, the company may have RUclips completely pull your video. And it can happen years later, too. This video was temporarily offline due to the music used at the end for the end credits. By simply muting that section, the copyright claim from that company becomes moot, and the video can continue to be played. Thank you for your understanding!
I'm so happy you got it back up! I went looking for it as my first monarchs were getting close to enclosing but couldn't find it. Back up in good time! My first monarch eclosed last night. He's healthy and I'll be releasing him today. He's one of 28 you inspired me to try to save this summer. I'm still finding eggs this late in the season, it's already so chilly at night in southern Ontario so I'm really trying! Your videos have been so incredibly helpful in all of this! Thank you so much for what you've started here. Already harvesting milkweed seeds for planting!
@@Liannabelle8 That's awesome that you're looking to plant even more milkweed for next year. Are you aware of "banding" the milkweed pods? I ask because you are in Ontario, and I'm in Michigan, and none of the Common Milkweed around here have pods that are ready yet. If you are collecting seeds at this time, it's possible that they might work out, but they aren't quite done developing. Check out this vid on banding pods, and it might help: ruclips.net/video/pb0VCKR5Aec/видео.html
Very cool to have you on board! (Ever been to Wally World in London? I know they closed up, but that was a fun water park.)
@@MrLundScience thank you so much for replying! Watching the video now! A read up on harvesting, it's been pretty cold here, below 40F so I've found a few that are browning and pop when squeezed though most are still not ready! Thank you so much for the information! You're seriously the best!
Glad that you were able to get it back! I was just checking in here with a relative question, to see if you had updated anything this season regarding the length of time to keep monarchs before releasing them, that is most recommended? I posted this question on another video, it was one of the more current/recent videos on wild-rearing monarchs, so was hoping you would see it and respond. The reason I ask is because of the research that was done, (by a Phd @ University of Minn. I believe), I read about when another butterfly enthusiast posted sharing that the studies found that it is most likely best to release eclosed adults after a full 24 hours? It had something to do with their waiting period in the natural environment being about that long a time, as they were found to hang-out without using their newly formed wings as much as those wild-reared ones who are traditionally released sooner, 4-6 hours weather and conditions, permitting. Sorry for the repeat of this question but I have another group here heading out soon as migration generation and want to get it right! Thanks as always, your fan!
@@Debbiesnc Hey Debbie! When it comes to time I wait to release, I have always let the butterfly tell me. It's usually within 24 hours. If the Monarch is ready to fly, it lets me know by flying to one of my screened in porch areas, and then flying to another. They act as if they are searching for a way out, and when they have been released, they immediately fly off. I have to assume that if in nature, when they are ready to fly like that, they would be flying off. Seems to make logical sense to me. Is it possible that rearing them causes a difference in their waiting behavior? Certainly possible. I may need to look further into the paper. When the season becomes later, though, what I find is that 1) the Monarchs are usually eclosing in the afternoon, and aren't really ready anyway come dusk. Thus, I keep them overnight. And 2) since they are migratory, and I am unable to release them until home from school that next day, by then they are willing to feed, so I supply them with a honey water solution. They feed first to get some added energy reserves, and then I release them. It usually has been right around 24 hours by that time. So I may have been accidentally doing this ever since the migratory Monarchs have been eclosing later. I hope that helps your Facebook group. I'll look further into the paper...
It’s now July 30, 2023! We (my 10 year old daughter and I) are ready to release our FIRST monarch!
Your video brought TEARS to my eyes -both HAPPY and SAD!
THANK YOU so much Mr. Lund for your monarch video series.
We learned everything we know, from you. We hope that you will see our comment and know that people are caring.
We will be planting more milkweed and sharing your message on social media. ~Chantal and Hildi from Grand Rapids, MI
Greetings Chantal and Hildi, and congratulations on what is a thrilling moment - your first release! It can be quite heart pounding!
I try to swing by from time to time to answer what comments I can, but admittedly, there can be many. (I always hope people can understand.) But a tip would definitely be that I try to have a period of time to keeping up with comments on the most recent Raising Monarchs episode.
Speaking of, and new one recently came out, discussing my new stomping grounds: ruclips.net/video/bp1GV6ysMUk/видео.html
If you feel so inclined, give it a look and see what I'm up to these days.
Thanks you for your interest in helping out the Monarchs! If you come for the Monarchs, I hope you stay for the milkweed. :-)
Rest assured, people are caring.
Your musical choices for these videos are immaculate 😂
I have a 10x10 patch of milkweed in my yard, this is the 3rd year they are growing and I have finally found eggs and larvae today. My kids are beyond excited. Each year I take the seeds and drive around town spreading the seeds.
Also not only do the monarchs love them, my honey bees go crazy for them.
That's awesome. Glad that your kids were able to feel that excitement!
We've been in our home for almost 2 years and we found one egg and 2 very small catipilars. We immediately put them in a tank and are feeding them my kids are so excited as an I 😅
I added a large butterfly garden to my yard 3 summers ago. Last summer I raised almost 50 butterflies. I saw my 1st female last year on May 18th and she laid eggs on every milkweed plant in my garden. This year I collected my first eggs on July 12. In my area in Ohio many farmers with conservation easements are now planting milkweed plants supplied by the soil and conservation district. I hope the help we are now giving them leads to more returning north. Thank you for making this informative video series.
That's some taxing work. Thank you for putting in the time and effort!
Dude! I had no idea! I live in Ontario and didn't see hardly any Monarchs last year so I wanted to plant a butterfly garden this spring. I stared to germinate my milkweed 3 weeks ago and its doing well. I just learnt so much in your Monarch playlist. Totally going to help raise Monarchs. Thank you for helping to get the word out. I will do my part to help.
I felt that way roughly five years ago, too. The decline has gotten a bit more exposure, but for the most part, the majority of the public don't know that this is going on. I was shocked when I first found out about it. I hope my videos are helpful. I don't claim that they are the best way, but a way to do it that I've found. So pleased to have another Ontario neighbor on board! (Being a Port Huron boy, Sarnia is some well known stomping grounds for me.)
D.M. McA where about in Ontario? I’m in Toronto
Also in ontario. 2020 doesn't appear to be very pollinator friendly. I keep looking for cats and eggs. I hope i find them soon!
I'm also in ontario. Only saw 1 monarch. But I also am planting garden and milkweed for them.
I'm in Mississauga. Have lots of milkweed on the property. Can give seeds in the Fall.
Brett, the 5 part series was A-mazeballs! The up close look at the eggs hatching was wondrous. I got a lump in my throat when you, your wife and mom released the butterflies. Thank you for your hard workin putting the series together!!
You're definitely welcome! Glad that it could be useful!
The doors music and the psychedelic hatchlings was EPIC
Thank you for your whole Monarch Series! Your videos are the best.
Why thank you! And if you like the occasional scientific trek through the world of Hip Hop, might I recommend some of the latest (which we're quite excited to offer): ruclips.net/video/rdluVmlxLqM/видео.html
THAT is terrific! Made me giggle. Very creative. Will be a great teaching tool. Thank you!
Your wife is beautiful, LOVED seeing your smiles when releasing them.
really enjoyed your series!
My father, a junior high school science teacher(died in 1981) would always tell me about the wonderful monarch it wasnt until this past december that I learned they were endagered...since then I have been raising as many as I can find, and planting milkweed and encouraging others to do the same. I had the idea to make a series, then I found yours...With your permission I will just encourage people to check out your site...CONGRAULATIONS on such a great series.
I currently have started 18 new plants from seeds I harvested, intend to have many many more! I love the Monarch, not just because of my dad...but it's own special story, each one is truly a miracle...oh gotta run, I have one emerging! :)
Mary de Waal That is a fantastic, strong compliment you have given me. I appreciate very much the approval of someone who obviously knows their stuff! By all means, pass on the series. Perhaps you should still do yours. There's plenty more information out there that my series didn't cover. The more information (of a quality nature) out there, the better!
Excellent series! I have been raising monarchs for over 25 years in NJ, and amen to everything you said! I make zippered, screen covers for tomato planters and transplant young caterpillars to the milkweed that I planted in my backyard. They are protected from predators and I don't have to do any more work until the butterflies emerge. Ms. Harvey also showed me how to make a cage from netting and 2 embroidery hoops that I hang from a metal planter and actually zip it around the plant. I can move both cages to other plants if they devour the leaves. They will build their chrysalides at the top of the netting. Research 'caterpillar cremaster" ; go back and look at that part on your videos and you will be TRULY AMAZED at these magnificent creatures!
Janice trikkes Thanks for both the compliments, and the tips! I'll check out what you've recommended!
This a marvelous series you have given us. I'm embarking on being a first-time Monarch mama. Thank you so much, I feel much more likely to see them grow and fly away.
I thank you for all your effort and patience your Monarch series deserves an award well done!!
I thank you for the kind words. Awards, to me though, aren't all that important. Recognition is nice and all, but I don't need some official recognition. To me, the award already exists and has been received. The reward is that people take the information and use it. Your words *are* an award.
My mom and sister just started raising monarchs and told me to watch the videos about why. So glad I did! Happy to help out :) 🦋🦋
I found this to be a wonderful series; I have a huge crop of milkweed among my little veggie garden and left most of them. With the help of this series I have 5 caterpillars in their container chomping away at fresh leaves. This is so much fun, especially when locked in with Covid. Thank you so much
Hi Mr. Lund. My name is Dana and I also raise Monarchs from the egg thAt has been laid by the female. My yard is all flowered for monarchs to come eat and lay their eggs.... I so enjoy raising them and as of right now I have over 100 eggs hatched and are growing them to full butterflies... I just came across your video and now will be tagging them before flight.... thank you for doing your part for these beautiful creatures. They have such a hard life and I love doing my part with my boyfriend... keep up the good work...
Wow, 100 eggs. That's really awesome! Great commitment on your part, for sure (and your boyfriend). And it's fun to get into tagging them as well!
Thank you, dana2542 it is fascinating to learn about doing this ever since I began; actually my sons both learned about the entire thing when their teachers in 3rd? or 4th grades helped them raise the class butterflies in both N. C. and N. J. schools. It was difficult to find Milkweed then in our horse pastures; now it is ample at our N. C. farm since the pastures are full-on season without animals grazing.....and of course cultivated some into our perinneal garden unti this year's round has the Monarchs coming when we are here from the shore and now, full-time mostly! Thanks to all who do their part, whether in schools or raising their kids or like yourself raising hundreds and tagging them! Best wishes to all.
Sooo. I'm a fan! I have nearly 30 chrysalis. My "first ever lady" hatched last night. I let her go today, even tho its December 1.
It was close to 75 degrees today in So Cal. We have lots of milkweed and flowers. Let's hope she meets "Mr Right" and we continue on??
Thank-you sooo much for this series. I have learned a LOT!! Next step? Get those milkweed plants going. I needed lots!!!
Very cool! Great to have you aboard!
Your videos are the gold standard for how to help the Monarchs, from milkweed to release---thanks so much for all your efforts and work to educate all of us watching and wanting to learn. You are making a difference.
That's a potent compliment. I'm humbled. I'll do my best to keep reaching such a standard. Thank YOU for taking the time to put the information to use.
@@MrLundScience You and your family are awesome! Thanks again for your guidance :)
Thank you for sharing brother. I look forward to finding eggs and raise them myself as well. Great music selection!
I just moved from CA to PA and my house has a 2600 sqft garden. I have been on RUclips learning all I can so I can do this amazing space justice, and part of that is planting a pollinator garden. One of my neighbors gave me 3 milkweed pods as a "gift" in fall and I had no idea what they were or what to do with them. So I researched and found your series on monarchs.
I now have 30 milkweed plants started using the method you show in part 2 and I have the intention of even more next year. I will be turning part of my sun porch into a monarch nursery and I cant wait to do my part. GREAT SERIES!! Thank you so much! If you are interested in watching as I learn and grow with this new adventure I would love you to visit my channel.
Thank you Mr. Lund! I now have over 20 stages of Monarchs thanks to your helpful videos! They are the most amazing creatures I have seen! I am hooked! Thank you again for all you do and sharing your knowledge with all of us!
You're absolutely welcome. Sorry that I have hooked you and your free time shall only diminish from here on out in the Monarch season, but, thank you so much for allowing your free time to diminish in the Monarch season!
I love your series! As a kid growing up in Michigan, it was a rule of thumb for grade school teachers to have at least one Monarch metamorphosis. Now as as adult, living in Eastern Central Florida, last year I watched several caterpillars grow to stage 5 and disappear. Unfortunately, we have lizards that love to eat our Monarch caterpillars! This year I decided to do something about it! I created a village with fresh milkweed and have made a large screen for them. I have 3 extra milkweed plants in the garden. Each time I find an egg or a caterpillar I add it to the protection of its village...I love saving the Monarch and I know I will find myself increasing my interest and teaching others from my experience!! Great videos!! Thank you for your time in creating them and preserving habitats!!
That sounds so awesome. Glad to be of assistance to a relocated, fellow Michigander!
Outstanding! Love the whole series. Well produced and great info. I have been raising Monarchs for years but from now on I will always hear the Doors when I watch one eclose!!
James Shover Thank you much! I know for myself, all of these bands will now bring Monarchs to my mind. For the Chrysalis video part, I wanted to go with Ozzy's "See You On The Other Side", but when I published it, RUclips muted it. Apparently, that song can't be used in unofficial videos, which is understandable. VAST's "We Will Meet Again" was fitting in its place!
THANK YOU♥️ perfect series! You rock and from all the Monarchs “we love you”. I’ve been to the sanctuary in Mexico. It’s an amazing experience but we’ve noticed the decline from years ago. SAVE THE MONARCHS 🖤🧡
These videos are really good. Very well put together. It's awesome what you are doing. Keep up the good work!
No, thanks to YOU for sharing such a valuable information without any profit for yourself, I really appreciate your work!
Absolutely. Not about money...always about the science and the activism.
Ur a awsome human bean and thank you for doing what you did.
jcervantez162 Lol human BEAN xD
+Kevin Keenan that's my line
Omg i remember this comment! Back before I was self conscious af.
Great videos. Thank you for providing all the information we have needed to raise monarchs!
Those butterflies taking off reminded me of Reading Rainbow. Butterflies in the sky!! I can go twice as high!!
I loved your series! I saw the 2 complete series. Thank you for so much dedication! I have 4 caterpillars and some eggs, I think 5 or 6 in the garden. I'm just planting more asclepias, I'm not collecting the eggs or the caterpillars. Greetings from Guatemala, Central America.
Awesome 5 part series! I going in the right direction, and I have a lot of milkweed! I currently have 4 cats, it’s very exciting! Thank you for the videos! Great job!
This series was very informative and enlightening. I feel pretty inspired and I do plan on watching the milkweed series and work to re-establish the presence of milkweed in my area and beyond. I didn't understand how important it was but now that I do, I feel quite motivated. Thanks.
+Crystal Custalow
Then that's a check in the "win" column for me. These videos were made because, as I was doing this, I was seeking out such videos. I couldn't find any on RUclips that were complete. Tips and advice here and there, but not exactly the full story. So, I had to wing it (no pun intended) and once I had figured a few things out, I thought I should make something so that others who want to do it easily could have the information. As stated in the videos, I don't claim that it's the best way, but it's the way I've had success at it for a few years now.
But, I'm not done. There's been many questions from people who have found my videos that at the time, I didn't always know how to answer. I've spent the winter researching, and am now ready to make some extra videos to clear up some of those questions.
And speaking of questions, if you have any as you go about trying this out, I haven't been too swamped yet with feedback, so I'm still able to respond to them within a day or two. Feel free to ask away! Good luck with it!
It’s so funny because my chrysalis was green when I went to sleep and I just woke up this morning and I have a monarch. So excited :)
And I’m definitely starting my butterfly garden next season. Not just for monarchs but for a couple different endangered species. I get excited every time I see milkweed and it’s EVERYWHERE here :)
A milkweed patch, even a small one, makes things so much easier for keeping these guys fed, too. I'm so glad I planted mine a few years ago.
Here in New Zealand our 'imported' Monarchs are in decline, along with our native butterflies. I raised my first 2 Monarchs (both females) at end of season last month (we are now in mid autumn) - an awesome experience. I have about 25 milkweed plants to get planted out, and 4 packets of milkweed seeds, nettle seeds (for our native Admirals) and wild flower seeds to sow in spring, along with a bunch of lavender and salvia plants. Thank you so much for this series - I have learned a lot more stuff, especially your techniques for raising caterpillars and spacing out chysalides. Thank you, thank you!
So cool to have those in New Zealand find uses for these videos. Gotta admit, I hadn't predicted that. Thank YOU for putting the information to use!
My first Caterpillar has gone into chrysalis and I am so excited! I also am going to collect milk weed seeds this year and plant them in areas I know won't be disturbed. I can't wait to see these next steps happen and release a beautiful butterfly. I am watching your videos very carefully and taking notes. So far everything is going well. I want to share with you something I used that held the milkweed leaves well when they were adult size. I had a citrus juicer...a plastic one where the top has these thin long holes and you set it in the base which collects the juice. So I put the leaves in that and put water in the base and it kept the leaves good for several days and allowed many of them to be together and upright so they climbed them like they would on a plant. They really loved it. There was a spout though with a larger opening I worried they could get into and drown so I plugged it with plastic wrap. So easy to clean as well.
That's cool, Miss Tigress. Hey...since you have a RUclips account, why not make a video showing this trick off? Could be useful!
I have my first little "batch" of Monarchs in chrysalis! Because of these videos I am able to be successful and make a contribution. Bravo Mr. Lund curator of Monarchs, great music and fashion sense! Much love from Florida.
Perfect song for the emerging monarchs, love this🤗🤗🤗
Hey, thanks!
I found some milk weed pods today and didn't know what they were, so my neighbor told me what they were and we even seen a big green caterpillar on one of leaves! I immediately brought the seeds home and began to Google and RUclips. I came across your videos and I am hooked now LOL! it is now September so I will be; Lord's will next year planting my milkweed seeds to attract butterflies and maybe try to help some grow! Your videos are awesome and you and your family Rock! Thank you for the video series I have saved them all and we'll be following these instructions! Stay blessed!
Greetings Alicia, and welcome aboard! I'll give you the same warning I give many: This is addictive! But it's so very rewarding. I'm excited for you that you'll be experiencing some of this for the first time! Good luck!
Wow! I was really amazed in the whole series of this, I'm now raising Monarchs and doing all the tips you gave :) and also addition to Monarchs, I added SwallowTails too! :) thanks!! for them tipz!
~~Swizz
+Growtopian Dwarf
Thanks for the kind words! Good luck with your efforts! I've done some Easter Black Swallowtails before too, and they are a lot of fun. Their chrysalides look awesome.
I did see that video but alas not equipped. This is my first time. Again.. thank so much.
Thank you for such a beautiful and highly informative series. I started planting milkweed last year and this year the monarchs have come! I collected six eggs that I hope to see through to that magical time I release them into the wild. I've learned so much through the work you've done on these videos. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You're absolutely welcome. Others being able to use them is the exact intention of them, so thank *you* for doing so!
What I want to Know is why only 5K subs.? This is a worthwhile endeavor. I am on the short side of 70 yrs. old and in my short lifetime I remember many more beautiful insects, including the Monarch, then I see today. am not an " eco-terrorist" but I have come to understand we are the only stewards this world has. If we screw it up the world WILL be rid of us in hopes of finding a better caretaker. BTW our very first Caterpillar is "J Hanging" as I type this!
Ha! Greetings and welcome aboard!
I would hope nobody would see us as eco-terrorists! I still burn gasoline in my car (I pretty much drive whatever used car comes my way whenever the previous one dies). I do my best to recycle, but admittedly, am not 100% with it. I think, just being in Michigan, I am rather protective of what we have here in our environment, and wish to be responsible with it. As for the 5k subscribers, I don't know. Is that a lot? Is that a little? Perhaps it'd be more, but I'm not out pushing this channel like a mad man. If people are interested in helping the Monarch, I'm guessing they stumble upon at least one of my videos eventually. That said, feel free to inform others of the Monarch's plight. Whether they use my videos, or someone else's, I just applaud that they are willing to help out this amazing animal. I want kids and grandchildren to be able to experience them as well!
One of the best if not the best info videos on RUclips. Mr Lund did a great job. Thank you so much. At this monent I have a chrysalis forming in my dining room. Amazing to watch. I live in Florida so release at this time of year should be no problem.
Thank you so much for what your doing! I'm in upstate NY and we keep most of our yard as a pollinator landscape. Lots of milkweed and other native plants. Finally this morning I found a 5th instar and a 2nd. I learned that from you because I crashed course on your videos after finding them. I have them set up to grow as you have suggested and I'm very proud and excited to be doing this for our beloved Monarchs!
Hey, congrats, and welcome aboard to one of the most addicting hobbies I've ever encountered! I appreciate the thanks for the videos, but understand, your effort in raising any and all, (and if you do so, planting milkweed) is all the thanks needed. Helping these guys out is something we can easily do, and hopefully, we'll see an upswing in coming years to the population. What's important is knowing that we did what we could and weren't indifferent to their plight.
I planted a crown flower cutting a few months ago. I notice that the Monarch's are starting to come into our backyard. They lay their eggs on the leaves, and I wait until the caterpillar is around 3/4 of an inch in size, then I bring them into our house, and place them in a gallon jar, and raise them till they do a hanging J. Then I carefully pull them off the lid of the jar, and tape them to somewhere where they can be left alone, till they turn into a butterfly. In Hawaii, the Monarch's feed on Crown Flower leaves. I don't think I ever saw a milkweed plant. Thanks for your video. It helped me with lots of information, that I wasn't aware of.
You're very welcome, and since seeing you mention the Crown Flower in a previous comment, I looked it up. Quite an interesting plant!
I was looking for information on how to plant milkweed and stumbled upon your series. I am truly inspired to do more and help these butterflies grow and thrive. Thank you for all the information. Great work editing the videos.
+01REYES01 Many thanks for your interest! This is a problem that can be helped by simple, very cheap means. Thank you for deciding to help take up the cause!
Beautiful series! Thank you so much for your dedication and efforts. This was so thoughtfully made, easy to understand and motivating! I can’t thank you enough. I’ll be moving on to the milkweed seed series now, but I have a feeling I’ll be returning to this series time and time again. 🧡
Thank you! Happy to help!
I grew milkweed for the first time this summer. A couple of days I found 6 caterpillars and one lady bug larva! I will be following your videos to raise and release them. I will have one for each one of my grandbabies to release! Thank you so much for this information!
Very cool! Your grand kids will have a pretty awesome experience, I reckon!
this is awesome, what you're doing is awesome. thanks for the help, i'm just getting into the idea of raising monarch, will probably do it next year. thanks for the help.
I love these videos. I have been planting milkweed in my garden in Indiana for about 4 years and have enjoyed watching the Monarchs. I have seen caterpillars but not until this year did I raise one. What a wonderful experience. I missed seeing the chrysalis form so I used your video to watch the process. My Monarch hatched last night and I am planning on releasing him later today. Thank you for these informative and inspirational videos.
Thank you so much, Betty, for the kind words. Welcome aboard! (Be warned...it's addictive!)
Thank you so much for the great easy instructions. This year we released 29 adult butterflies, and only had one casualty. I live in a rural area in Ontario and have lots of milkweed, we are going to harvest the seeds this year and spread them everywhere that wont get cut down or sprayed, also the country roads etc. Hopefully, that will give the plant the chance to grow and reproduce. Next year trying to collect eggs and go from there.
Excellent news. Planting milkweed truly is the best way to help them, so thank you for taking that part to heart. Good luck!
My daughter and I loved watching this series of videos. Monarchs finally found the milkweed we planted in our yard and we have a few chrysalides we are awaiting butterflies to emerge from. Thank you for all the knowledge you provided us!
Sweet! That's gotta be exciting! You have some very cool days shortly ahead in your future!
this is an amazing series, i learned so much about monarchs, thank you! i'm definitely going to grow milkweed once the winter passes (:
Thank you for deciding to jump in. Planting milkweed is most definitely the number one way to help them! Gotta restore that habitat. You rock!
Thank you sir for the amazing info. Two years ago a friend gave me a monarch caterpillar soon turning into a criselis in a fish bowl and soon was amazed to have a Beautiful Monarch Butterfly. I Did this twice from the same friend bringing these catepillars. I got really interested in raising these on my own so I asked her for some Milk Weed . I planted last year and now it's bigger than before and with extra milk weed on its side.
A few days ago I decided to check for any eggs as I noticed on various leaves with holes. I had a hard time finding eggs or caterpillars as we had a storm and I believe that they either were washed out or spiders must've eaten them. To my surprise I did happen to find a tiny baby caterpillar in a size of the tip of a pencil. Now she is like half inch size. I'm excited and now after seeing your video , I will harvest these by the bunch to have them safely turn into butterfly and supporting them.
I plan to get one of those boxes to raise them. All I have the one is in a glass jar with very little water for the milk weed. I fear for her to fall by I just learned how you wrap wet cloth. I will do that . Again thank you Mr. Lund . 😊🐛
Cool to have you with us. It's a highly addictive past time. Fair warning!
Good luck with those under your care. You're in for a very rewarding experience!
I am thrilled to report that the two caterpillars I found on my milkweed (May 15 & 16 respectively) have successfully emerged, and have been released to fly and be free!! Like a big fat nerd, I cried when I set my first one free(!) -- Happy tears, of course -- The first one was spot-on, 12 days in chrysalis. The second was 13-14d. A female, and a male, respectively -- best I could tell. Thank you, Richard, for your videos full of relevant, useful, easy-to-follow, information that helped enable me to raise these two beauties. Hopefully it is the start of something big for Monarchs here in mid-Missouri.
Here are a few questions I have (I promise I have been searching for the answers prior to posting here! ;-) )
- What exactly are the yellowish/goldish dots of illuminosity (I know you know what I mean) that become visible on the chrysalis. Someone told me they are oxygen pockets???
- How long will it take a female, from the time she emerges & flies, to lay eggs? ( I know, "It depends." Right? :-) )
- I did watch a second time, "Raising Monarchs - Encouraged Egg Laying . . .", and heard you mention about the female laying unfertilized eggs. Do you know if those would be viable in a parthenogenesis possibility?
- In identifying males: Is it easier to see the glands from the top? And, are the glands fully formed when the butterfly emerges? Or do the glands mature (for lack of better description) as the newly-emerged butterfly pumps fluid into its wings? My second one was hard for me to determine its sex, as it would only let me see its underside, lol. For the split second I saw it from the top - fully open - it appeared to have the male glands. That rascal wanted to FLY! :-)
Thank you, again, for all of your time and effort - and loving energy - you put into this endeavor. You really are helping change the world.
Greetings Cj. Great to hear that you had some successful emerging newcomers! Tears of joy are normal. It's a great thing to witness, and there's nothing quite like the first time.
To answer your questions...
What are the gold spots? Truthful answer: I don't know.
To go further, though, I don't know that anyone does, and that might be why you have never gotten a straight answer. I looked up what science was out there on the topic, and there have been some research studies to try and pin it down. Even after some hard, painstaking work, the community that studies this specific part of the chrysalis do not have a consensus on it, but some interesting possible hypotheses:
1) It is a possible camouflage that disrupts how, mostly likely, birds would be able to see it. Birds are the most obvious predator to something like a chrysalis, and having something very very reflective might cause the bird to focus more on that shimmer of light, and not be able to easily see the outline of the chrysalis, convincing the bird that its just dew on an uninteresting leaf. With what I know about bird sight (which I admit, isn't a whole lot) this seems plausible.
2) Rather than camouflage, it could be a glittery warning coloration to would be predators that "I taste really bad". This seems plausible, as the Monarch is doing this during the caterpillar and the adult stage.
3) It could be both #1 and #2 at the same time. Depending upon eye sight, it could serve as camouflage to some predators, but a warning to others.
4) Some think that what is occurring inside the chrysalis at these points is sensitive to certain wavelengths of light that need to be filtered out, and the great reflection of light that these provide block it. That also could very well be true, and would also explain why some butterflies that aren't in the same family/order of the Monarch also do this.
5) It could be an accidental evolution that caused no harm, and thus, never was selected out. I don't see this as being too likely an explanation, though, for there'd be little reason such a mutation would spread through not only this species, but be present in other species/orders/families of butterflies. It's possible if the genetics that produce this quirk are gene linked to other necessary genes, but that too seems far fetched.
That's all I could really find out about them for you. I think it's cool, though, when we find out that there's always more to discover in science!
Next, how long before a female can lay eggs? I don't know first hand, but from what I've looked up, there is roughly 3 days for a female to reach sexual maturity and be ready/willing to mate. She could lay eggs that same day, a few hours after mating.
Next one, could a female lay parthenogenesis eggs? I could not find any documented cases that stated a confirmed (or even unconfirmed) case of parthenogenesis in Monarchs. So, this is also in the "I don't know" category. However, of those studying Monarch Butterflies, if a female they knew had not mated had laid viable eggs, I think they would have announced that somewhere on the internet. I don't want to assume that means that it doesn't happen, but it just doesn't seem likely. As for females that have mated which lay those fertilized eggs, and then possibly others that are viable from parthenogenesis, that'd be really difficult to confirm without DNA comparison of the mother and all of the newly emerged offspring. Not sure if anyone is doing such a study. Likely not. The ones I was referring to in the video you bring up are ones that, after a few days, are obvious duds, as they will have shriveled a bit and not have the normal shape. Some of those can also be quite off color, more white than the others.
Finally, for identifying males, first, once you've seen them many times and know what to look for, you can definitely see if it's a male with its wings closed. As I've seen many emerge now, it's pretty easy for me these days. When you know where the glands are on a male, you can see that location on the closed wing, and right after it emerges, there's a small "dimple" on the underside of the wing. In addition, the females most definitely have thicker black lines on the wings, and if you have multiple emerging at the same time, it's much easier to tell which are the boys, and which are the girls. I don't want to sound too sure of myself, but I feel these days I've trained my eye for this enough to be able to tell pretty quickly if it's a male or a female in the field, when it's just fluttering by. Times I've done this and it's landed and I get a closer look, I still haven't been wrong. Batting 1000 on that one!
I had some milkweed volunteer in my formal garden and am keeping it to raise monarchs! You gave a great presentation regarding how to do this!! Thanks, I can,t wait!!!
Great to hear! Welcome to the cause!
Great job - can't wait to do this next year!
I planted 2 milkweed bushes in my garden this Spring. I was so excited to find several Monarch caterpillars on them this week. I have been looking for eggs on them with no luck. I have not seen a single Monarch in my yard this summer. I have so many flowers to attract butterflies. I am planning on taking all the seed pods and spreading them in the wild. I hope the seeds will grow. I loved watching all 5 parts, I learned so much.
Thanks for all your great videos and advice. I collected 6 monarch caterpillars in December in San Diego that appeared on one small sprig of milkweed that ended up in my succulent garden. Although we don't get much of a winter...it got cold here this year and we got hit with some severe storms right when the caterpillars appeared. I collected them, brought them inside, and did the emergency run to the nursery for more food. All but one caterpillar made a chrysalis. I think I got some tainted food for the last 2 caterpillars that were still eating away so one died the other has a very small chrysalis. I thought none of them were going to make it after three weeks in the chrysalis but almost 1 month exactly and so far 2 females have emerged and a 3rd is on the way. 1st one made chrysalis on Jan 4 emerged on Feb 2. Second made chrysalis on Jan 6 emerged on Feb 3. 3rd one also made chrysalis on Jan 6 looks close to emerging. Couldn't have done it with out the tutorials. Much Thanks from SD.
I'm quite pleased that the videos could be useful to you. Sounds like you are putting in some quality effort to keep the ones you find going. Thank you for doing that! Every Monarch counts these days. More videos will be on their way once the summer kicks in here in Michigan. And we do have one that will see a winter release in a few weeks. Stay tuned!
I have watched all your monarch episodes. I planted several varieties of milkweed two springs ago. This spring I had my first caterpillars and did not realize it until I saw a first instar caterpillar! I collected 8 and this morning my first one eclosed! I am so happy to have had this opportunity! The whole process is amazing! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and introducing me to the world of raising monarchs!
MrsLund u looked so so pretty with the butterfly in your hair!!!
+Lapis Lazuli
TOTALLY!
Thx
+MrLundScience can u please raising monarch butterflies in 2016 I started raising monarch butterflies 2yrs ago
+Jamari Glass
I do have some videos planned for this summer to cover ideas and topics that the previous two series did not bring up. Keep at it!
K
Thank you, Mr. Lund for all your knowledge and guidance. I've had milkweed growing in my garden for several years, have seen butterflies all over the place, but never found eggs or caterpillars. This year, however, I didn't see a single butterfly, yet one day I went out and found over a dozen caterpillars of different sizes. Some fell victim to predators, so I rescued the rest. I followed your directions and today my first monarch emerged! Thank you!
Very good series!
I like that you have also shown the importance of butterflies in our ecosystem and not just how to raise them.
I'm from India and here we have a diverse flora and fauna, which means a lot of butterfly species!
I've been into this hobby since more than 20 years.some of the species that I have raised are graphium agamemnon, Cydia nigricana and Euthalia sp...
thanks for doing this. I've already subscribed :)
Welcome! I've seen several species from India, though behind glass at museums, and WOW, your country has AMAZING colors to your butterflies. They add to the beauty of your nation. Thanks for checking out the series. More Monarch videos will be happening June/July/August during Monarch season here in Michigan.
Great! looking forward to it
These videos are fantastic--thank you so much! I'm a novice but have enjoyed helping this cause this fall. What an exciting process to watch-- I love the "very hungry caterpillars," the J hang, and of course seeing the butterflies emerge (eclose). It's amazing to wish them well on their journey! My kids' wonderful middle school science teacher introduced our family to this effort. We planted milkweed here in Fort Worth, Texas, and this year the number of monarchs coming and laying eggs in our backyard was more than prior years and very exciting. We are getting more and more into this, and your instructive videos are incredibly helpful.
Awesome series! I learned so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to put all this together!
I certainly appreciate that. It didn't seem like a chore, though. Since it's important to me, it was actually a pleasure to make them. Thank YOU for taking an interest!
As certified organic farmers we are committed to preserving biodiversity. We understand the seriousness that pesticides & herbicides are having on our pollinators. Our children are watching your 5 part video series to raise, care for, & release monarchs this season.
Thank you so much for your time and effort and for helping such a grand cause. Alana
Earth Valley Organics You are of course welcome! Thank YOU for helping to, and instilling the ideas of conservation and naturalistic responsibility to your next generation!
I have like 3 plants in my house and I am fascinated just watching all of them become monarchs
thanks Rich, your series has inspired many of us, I have 200 milkweed plants growing/gemmating in my dining room now, working with a 4h group of children to plant another 200 plants of milkweed, thank you for what you do
That's awesome Randy! So cool that you've jumped full in on this! Thanks for helping out!
So nice to see them fly away..
Thank you so much for your focus on sustainability and preserving habitat. It’s not about us having fun raising them-that’s just a side effect. It’s about supporting the species to be viable. That means not destroying all their habitat for our selfish and unnecessary purposes. Like you said, we have to consider the other creatures we share this planet with. Thank you again.
Absolutely welcome. Many videos have come out since these first five. I was mostly making videos in response to common questions that would come up in the comments section. Rather than type the same answer multiple times (and hey, I wouldn't expect someone to have the time to dig through all these comments) I realized that if I make a video about the question, that gets the info out, and even if the question is asked, I could easily provide a link to the video that answers it. Still, what this has lead to is the series being very focused on the Monarchs, but less of a focus on the milkweed. And planting the milkweed is the real way to help them effectively, long term. So, this season, I'll be much louder about the need to plant milkweed. Numbers are up this year, but that doesn't mean we should get comfortable. There's lots of work to be done to keep them going up!
I just ordered a lot of milkweed from Monarch Watch and Live Monarch that I am going to plant EVERYWHERE. Be ready Houston, we are about to do our part to help save the Monarch Butterflies.
Now THAT is the spirit!
We've been doing this for about 15 years now. We have planned SOOO much milkweed over the years. I honestly think we reintroduced it to our count. I enjoy watching how others do their process. Some years are better than others. Thank you for what you are doing too❤
And I'm trying to save them all!
You are a true inspiration. I planted butterfly weed and 5 monarch eggs hatched to instars then larvae and started consuming all the butterfly weed plants. I was worried they were going to run out of food. Your videos helped me learn how to collect milkweed leaves in my area to help the monarchs until my own milkweed can grow. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into these great videos. They could also be used to help children as part of a great school project
Thanks Susan. Strong words. I appreciate them. Some schools have contacted me, and yep, some teachers have incorporated some of these videos into their lessons or projects. That amazes me, and was never expected. The amount of positive feedback I've received from these humbles me. It's so awesome to find that there's so many who care about this animal, and are willing to get their hands dirty to help.
I am going to take my milkweed seeds and spread them all over the place!!!!
Hey, that's the spirit! That's the best way to help them. Restore that habitat!
Me too. I'm also try to spread the word about how important it is to grow milkweed planets.
This is one of the best things I have ever seen,we have 7 that we are hatching right this minute for the 1st time in our 60 some years of being here and we will keep on doing it now for as long as we can,great film and keep on flying
great video! I loved it!
Thank you!
This is my first month of trying to help the butterflies in Western Pennsylvania. I learned of you while at PT where they have an ongoing effort to help the monarchs. The therapist actually brings her cats and chrysalides to work everyday and educates us (the patients) about the process and gave me your name. I've watched every video! I live on a small farm and have natural milkweed growing. I collected 15 caterpillars. I had 2 cats die of the black death. I had one emerge yesterday, hung by one leg and fell to the floor several times and found it this morning lifeless :( . Looked at the next chrysalis to possibly emerge and although it had started to turn black it had stopped progressing. I noticed a "string" hanging from its bottom and looked down and saw a moving larva below it. Upon further inspection, I noticed a hole in the side of the chrysalis. I assume it is compromised, I'll quarantine and see what happens. BTW I also found 3 swallowtail cats and have 2 in chrysalis and the 3rd is hooked and ready to go! I would love to see videos from you about them in the future.
Ha, funny thing is, I know of another therapist who has used my videos to educate herself on Monarchs, and share them with patients. She uses it to help show how brave the Monarch is when going into some very life changing transitions, and helps apply that with others. Certainly, the Monarch has lessons for us all.
As for Swallowtails, I think they are quite awesome. I love the evolutionary mimicry that many of the caterpillars undergo, whether it is to try and look like a snake, or to try and look like bird droppings. And, the osmeterium is such a cool (and stinky) organ. You're not the first person to request that I make Swallowtail videos, but I don't think that's in my future. The reason being, they aren't a threatened population. So, the way I always see it each summer, since I have a list of Monarch topics still to cover, time making Swallowtail videos is time away from making Monarch videos...so the scales never really tip the other way. Since the Monarch is the one that needs the help, I'll likely not change my mind on this anytime soon. Another factor is, I don't really know much about raising Swallowtails. I wouldn't want to make instructional videos on something I don't know much about. It'd be a bit pretentious. I don't even consider myself any sort of expert on Monarchs either, but I do know a thing or two, and enough, I hope, to make these videos.
When I was watching this one of my Monarchs emerged! LOL!:D
Thank you for sharing your knowledge on raising the Monarch. I planted 5 plants of milkweeds and they have multiplied all over my flower beds. This summer I have enjoyed watching the monarchs visit to eat from the flowers. I think I will try raising and releasing them. When my kids were young we raised Luna moths, wonderful experience!
Ok. So after doing some research I found out that it is important to PLANT NATIVE MILKWEED. Here is an article about the harm that might be caused by Tropical Milkweed : texasbutterflyranch.com/2013/02/25/tropical-milkweed-to-plant-it-or-not-its-not-a-simple-question/
You can find which kind of milkweed to plant in your garden by checking this site: monarchbutterflygarden.net/milkweed-plant-seed-resources/ and many other sites I am sure.
Anna Grazhdansky That is actually excellent advice, yes! Every part of North America has some kind of Milkweed native to them, too, so feel free to check your neighbourhoods. :)
+Anna Grazhdansky Planting natives for your area is important, to be sure, but the jury is STILL OUT on the Tropical Milkweed deal. In east-central Pennsylvania, where I live, I sometimes grow Tropical Milkweed but here in the Northeast, Tropical Milkweed grows as an annual, as it cannot survive the winters here so it's perfectly fine to grow it and the Monarchs do NOT lay eggs on it during migration. Besides, the first frost kills them so the theory that it somehow causes the Monarchs to start laying eggs again is not realistic because the Monarch females are in "sexual diapause," which means that their reproductive organs are NOT mature so it would not be possible for them to lay eggs yet. There would most likely have to be unusual warming that would last longer in the Fall that MIGHT possible cause them to mature and lay eggs but in the time that I've been growing milkweed and raising Monarchs, I have not seen that happen. This year I grew Common and Swamp Milkweed only and maybe had about 15 eggs total. Last year I grew Tropical Milkweed along with the Common and Swamp milkweed and the Monarchs preferred Tropical over the other milkweed hands down. I was able to harvest 30 eggs. So I harvested more eggs last year than I did this year and it didn't affect the Monarch migration. When the time came, they kept flying through and I did NOT find any more eggs. So yes, it's fine to grow Tropical Milkweed in the northern sections of the United States and Canada because once the frost hits, they die and don't grow back like Common and Swamp Milkweed do.
GREAT Question, and also a great article. Since I live in Florida, I did purchase Tropical Milkweed as it is a Native plant here. And now, thanks to your comment and link to the article, I agree with and will be doing exactly what the author stated: "You’ll see Tropical milkweed in my yard. But I’ll be sure to keep it out of wildscapes and ranch situations, and slash it to the ground in the winter."
Anna Grazhdansky erf
You and your family is so beautiful! But, guess what? My first year, I've released 4 Monarchs. And I have lots more to go still. Spreading the message!!! Thank you for all you do!
Wow. Thanks! Great job on your 4 Monarchs and the more to come!
Is it true most monarch in fl stay? Like they dont migrate.
First question, yes. Second question, sometimes.
I've had many personally tell me, plus many confirm online, they see Monarchs all year round in Florida, especially in the southern areas. As for migration, We don't *know* 100%, but there have been Monarchs that have gone from Florida and made it to Mexico. We know this from those who have tagged the Monarchs, and some of those being retrieved in Mexico. It's not a large number, and it's not certain if these are just Monarchs from the north who went through Florida to Mexico, or are they some of the more or less permanent population of southern Florida that one day, on a whim, migrated. Seems that most of that population stays in Florida, but there might be a migratory path that takes others through Florida. Those who get into tagging in southern Florida could potentially shed some more light on this unknown area.
MrLundScience thanks 😀
Thank you SO much!!! I learned so much and will go to a new neighborhood where they're ripping out milkweed and save plants and seeds..
You've truly inspired me!
Yes sir, just watched the video. Thank you very much. Watching from Southern California. I just released my monarchs to its freedom 😊
I am thankful for your videos!!!! I grow milkweed for the Monarchs, but like to do things in "natures way" but this year, 2022, I only saw 1 monarch butterfly at my yard, in Eastern NC. I searched for eggs about a 5 days later, but only found 3 eggs. So, because of your videos, at least I was able to save 6 caterpillars (3 surprises) and hopefully will be able to release them soon. I am making a netted closure for them to pulpate in. I have already ordered more MW seeds and know where I be planting them, and am encouraging others too, but giving them mw seeds, as well as pollinator seeds. This has been a wonderful experience to be a part of. Thank you again.
Your videos were awesome, thank you so much for the education that was so poorly lacking. I’m in Delaware, turning 50 this month and have never actually seen a monarch butterfly in the wild before. We live on several acres of land, we have some acreage that wooded wetlands and several acres of just open fields. We have a bunch of swallowtails and other types of butterflies (not sure what they are) that seem to love the butterfly bushes we planted this spring. We also planted some blueberry bushes and flicker flower bushes. I looked around for milkweed and wasn’t able to find any, we’ve been keeping our eyes open when out and about in hopes of finding some milkweed growing in a field or just along the road. It’s the beginning of September and we’ve actively tried to find milkweed around here with no luck. Maybe that’s why I’ve never seen a monarch in the wild before, I’m living within a 10 mile radius of where I grew up. Would you happen to know where I might be able to purchase milkweed at, I’d really like to get things figured before spring. We’re trying very hard to plant stuff that will help our environment and the animals that are dependent upon them. I’ve got some good ideas to add next year for the hummingbirds so I don’t feel like they’re so dependent upon the feeders. We’ve got all this land and would to turn it into something beautiful but also something that provides for everything living around it. I have 9 hummingbirds right now, we started with 3 in the spring and this is first year we’ve had them. Sadly, they’re dependent upon the feeders because there’s not enough flowers for them to survive off of. They’re hitting the feeders every 3 to 5 minutes like clockwork, I want better for them next year so we’re working on getting some more flowers going for them. Flowers that will last them from the time they arrive until it’s time for them to leave 😢 us until next season (I’m guessing it’s getting pretty close to that time) I’d appreciate any kind of resources that you might know of and advice for other things that we can plant that will help all these little guys that could use a boost up. Thanks again for all these awesome videos, I’ve definitely learned a lot from the 6 or 7 that I’ve seen so far. I had no idea that monarchs were so beautiful but they’re also a lot larger than I thought they would be.
THese videos are just awesome, thanks for doing this. Milk weed planting in progress, so far no luck but with all of your video series I feel more confident that I will get it to grow next year
+Denise Farmer
Great to hear! Thanks for checking them out, and good luck with your botanical efforts!
You are such an inspiration and just loved seeing your wife and mother and you having such fun when releasing.
I'm pretty pleased that they were able to be in there as well. My mother now raises them too.
MrLundScience That’s wonderful!! 🧡🖤💛
I love this series, this is our third season raising the monarchs. so informative . great photos!!!
I planted milkweed last Sept and hoping it will come up and bloom in the spring. Really appreciated this 5 part series.
Started a butterfly Milkweed garden this past spring and will be taking care of the Monarch eggs and helping them get ready for their trip to Mexico! Thanks so much for your help Mr. Lund. You taught me all I need to know to do the right thing. Linda K. Wisconsin.
I hope you know how helpful your videos truly are. Not only are they informative, but truly inspiring to help with raising monarchs. Thank you for sharing this worthy passion.
I just found your video series and knew a lot about raising monarchs but learned some also. I am thrilled to say that every one of my eggs collected and raised this year (2020) was collected AND feed to adulthood completely from plants grown in my yard. 52 so far and many more coming.
I have been doing this for a couple years. I really enjoy this and have shared the experience with my grandsons. Great videos.
You would have made my science class fun. Your students are lucky.
That's a strong compliment. Thank you. I do my best, and yes, we have lots of fun, for sure! Why, we were exploding some coffee cans just today with acetylene gas we chemically produced in the lab (with goggles on, of course). It was awesome!
that was so sweet thanks for sharing all the videos. I wish more people cared about these animals.
Thank you for all of your ideas. I just started raising Monarchs this summer and hope to continue for years to come. 🇨🇦
Thank you so much for this incredible great series of five explaining, demonstrating and even putting all of these lessons to music! I loved it, watching it while going to sleep soon next to my own little crew of only four , instar four and fives in their own private butterfly cage, my first time at rescuing ones I found on dying plants outside along our patio. We have had successful Milkweed crops in our fields on our horse farm, where empty paddocks are mowed end of autumn hopefully after the Monarchs are all morphed and on their way to Mexico by then! It is also before the butterflies are obviously expected to return now each spring and will lay the primary part of their eggs out there in the wild. Those who meander into my perennial garden will get special attention and the "lucky ones" who I find next to fading leaves and plants end of season or if near the rampant anthills w/ angry ants attacking, will find a warm, comfie home inside with my own family. Now I know exactly how to handle them, feed and care for them until they are ready to fly. Thanks again and best of luck to you guys. p. s. do you know how to gather the seeds and prepare them for next year's planting? We are in central N. C. and want to share some seeds with local schools and neighbors.
Hey Debbie! Great connection that you have made with this amazing animal. I'm pleased and humbled to have provided information that you found useful.
Here's the entire Raising Monarchs playlist, which includes all episodes made since. It includes four episodes on planting milkweed, though Part 4 of that 4 part series is likely what is most useful to you at this time of the year. In other words, I'd skip ahead to "Planting Milkweed Part 4". Good luck!
ruclips.net/video/_I5F4AHyQHs/видео.html
Thanks for this, and of course by now I have written you another note or two, regarding a rogue "Pilgrim" caterpillar who we found same-day as when one of our's inside the large butterfly net cage actually became a chrysalis, ten days ago on the money, in chrysalsis herself on one of the legs of my desk near the floor! Tonight around sundown, my son was the first to notice the emerging butterfly that we had been keeping an eye on all day each time we walked past "her desk". She/he, (not sure yet as we are leaving her on her own in the cage watching from outside, except for some photography, will fledge tomorrow and within the warm part of the afternoon, as it is cold tonight and very dark by the time she was even beginning to crawl off of the desk onto, oops , of course- the floor! I was so thrilled to see this baby eclude all in one safe piece, and look forward to the next guy, J Hook, or "Florence", and the 3rd one, Florence II - J II- , join their sibling, "Pilgrim".as adult Monarch Butterflies. Now we have two more cats joining the group that my husband and I found as small instars 2.
We have been gathering many seeds from the few mature plants in our garden. Next spring I will be looking for our first eggs, more cats and plan on raising as many I feel we can handle ourselves indoors as food is not a problem on the fields here.
I cannot thank you enough or tell you how many times I have watched the videos, that have guided me and given more accurate info than I ever expected to get. Pilgrim will be thanking us both tomorrow as she sails off to Mexico, thanking heaven that the deadly Hurricane Michael has also left the area.
Hopefully we are done with the hurricanes for this year. I hope they stay out of the Monarchs' way. Sounds like you have many plans for the spring. Happy to help, as what you're doing is quite valuable!
We ,being a state with the ocean as one of our boundaries , are praying for no more storms though we all remember last year and those 3 worst ones that sadly came back-to- in September. All those effected in specific states since LAST year are still of course having FEMA help there. Actually FEMA groups stationed nearby came to help N. C. during/after Michael just last week! It has re-booted the flooding which is deadly.
Our chrysalis, Pilgrim, is not well, and was our first to emerge ever while we watched , and hope the poor baby tests negative for the viral condition/parasites that may have caused his wing underdevelopment. There is also the chance that it was due to his emergence on that piece of furniture's leg as he had problems having a place to "hang" and fell just a few inches but still, fell which could have been the cause; he did not stay on the empty chrysalis ( pretty sure it would not have made a good perch from which to hang due to the angle). I will do my very first slide test on him . He is finally checking out the garden a bit, can't fly, and don't want to be hesitant about doing the test and appreciate your support during this hard time. All my last leaves have been through the bleach solution and rinse for the final cat we have named "Deb J".
On the other hand, the one chrysalis found originally WITH Pilgrim, named "Florence", also "broke on through to the other side" yesterday! We all just now gathered to let him fly away for Mexico and of course his liftoff was unexpectedly quickly and to the tallest tree so I doubt my photo of him turned out! lol It helped lift my spirits. I know there will be many more Monarchs in my life but I so admired Pilgrim and am sensing that he won't make it alone. Decision time. Your video about the 3 alternatives for a flightless butterfly has helped tremendously this past few days!
I hope you take some time off since this is the break from egg- hunting. I have saved my seeds as well and am doing a dedicated-garden for milkweed closer to the house though the fields are always there if we save patches when taking out the tractor after a bit now. All the eggs are gone in the meadow but I have seen a number of migrating butterflies! No wing ID tags yet, though!
Take care, Debbie p.s. do you have any suggestions regarding having a great habitat similar to but not an actual screen porch? I am considering adding one to our house anyway and it is perfect for everything including butterflies .
We used the 3' tall 2' x 2' soft net cage for our's this year which turned out large but actually rather necessary when we had the sick guy and the new butterfly plus a couple of cats . It is a great piece of work. On its floor I keep a small container, jar, to hold the 2-3 water piks in place for the fresh milkweed and growing caterpillars along side the towels positoined for the hanging guys who may accidentally fall. ds
I suppose if I didn't have a screened in porch, I would have made a screened in box by now. Purchasing some wooden stakes, nailing them into a box, and then stapling or gluing screen material to the dimensions so that it was readily ventilated, and had room for them to not interfere with each other. Some way of opening it too. Perhaps this is something to engineer and make a video about next year. Hmmm...
Bless you for doing this. I currently have over 15 all different stages that we hatched from eggs thanks to your videos. The milkweed by our house was cut down by the city so my 4 daughters and I sifted trough all the dying milkweed and decided to do what you showed us. Thank you
Awesome that you're getting your daughters involved (or perhaps they were the ones to get you involved?). It's such a valuable sharing experience. They're going to remember their cool Mom and the time they spent doing this with you in a lifelong way. Very cool!
Thank you for sharing these videos - I watched all five - which were very instructional. You did an incredible job demonstrating all stages. I’ve learned quite a lot.
About a month ago, I bought two milkweed pots for my preschool students to plant at school in hopes to attract butterflies. Within a few days I noticed two tiny caterpillars were crawling on one plant (got lucky the eggs were already there)! I nursed these babies until they were big and strong enough to take the ride to school. Last weekend I had to bring them back home because they were crawling out of the pot, and unfortunately, we didn’t have a big enough cage to house them at the moment. That Friday I watered the plants and placed them in a private, shadier space in my living room. During the evening the caterpillars were already in a ‘J’ position. When I checked early Saturday morning, they were still in a ‘J’. However, within three hours one caterpillar had turned into a chrysalis. I didn’t want to miss the second one, so I sat watching for a while. I must have stepped away for about 30 minutes, and when I came back, it had also turned. I missed it again! Well, this morning- now a week later - one of my babies was a beautiful butterfly, standing upright on the milkweed inside my living room🥰 As I got close, it began to flutter and eventually flew out my patio door. I pray it is strong and makes it to wherever it has to go.
In my classroom, we are currently nursing three more caterpillars which my preschoolers will get to see since I finally purchased a huge net cage and lots of milkweed. Milkweed seeds are abundant on the plant itself, and we now have plenty of plants growing at our school. Although we are in a big city (Los Angeles) and don’t have much green space at our school site, we are using large planters to grow milkweed and other flowers that provide food for butterflies. Our schools are year round, and I’m glad we have this opportunity to learn about metamorphosis this summer. I will be showing my students your videos for the next two weeks. Other friends are also doing this at their schools. We are all excited to take part in helping save the monarchs🌱🐛🌿
Great music throughout by the way!
I think you deserve a badge of honor. So cool...so VERY cool that you've got your preschoolers learning this way! As a teacher myself and knowing what effort is involved, I tremendously applaud your efforts and success! Definitely things can happen quick. An egg hatching, the chrysalis forming, the adult eclosing (emerging from the chrysalis) are all things that take several minutes to happen, yet somehow the Monarchs choose times when we are not looking. You may wish to show some of these feats to your classes.
Here's a vid that shows the egg hatching: ruclips.net/video/rX5mmuarAx0/видео.html
And here's one that shows the adult eclosing: ruclips.net/video/r67ztw43f1E/видео.html
If you (or your students) have questions as you go, definitely ask them! Good luck!
MrLundScience , thank you very much! Today I had to use your clip system on one chrysalis. It was attached to a drying leaf ready to fall off. I was so scared to hurt it!😬 My students and parents walking in at the moment were in awe. Now parents are interested in planting milkweed. I’ve decided that at the end of our study, I will have each child plant milkweed on their own biodegradable pot to take home. We watched and reviewed your first video. Tomorrow I will show the egg hatching video you’ve shared on this feed, have an activity, and move on to your second video.
Thank you on behalf of all my little friends, their parents, and myself. You have inspired us all! 🤗🐛🌎
@@nuwver7884 You rock even harder now! Got the parents involved? Oh yes, you've got skills in the education world! I think what helps to give this cause success in getting people involved is how low cost it can be. It's not as much filling out a check that you hope goes to the right things, but some fairly easy hands on effort. And the intrinsic benefits are pretty immediate and long lasting. So awesome! Thank you for being an ambassador to the Monarchs for your classroom!
I planted milkweed in my garden, I hope it will spread easly :). I apreaciate all your effort doing this documentary! I bet It took you lots of time filming and editing! I just thank you lots, it was very educational to me!!
Oh, Paulina...You are spot on when you say what you do about the time for editing. Nail on the head!
Good Evening,
I wanted to first of all thank you for your 5 part series on Raising Monarchs!
I watched all the parts and they were very informative.
Last Summer my husband and I decided to plant a butterfly garden in our backyard. We planted 6 milkweed plants that have become the focal point of the garden. This Summer I discovered little Monarch caterpillars. After watching one of them get stung by a German Wasp before my eyes, I decided to rescue the other caterpillars that I could find and place them in a pot of milkweed that I had propagated from the seeds of the plants in my garden. I covered them with a net to protect them from the wasp that's still out there somewhere. So I had 4 chrysalides inside this pot. Today (06/18/20) the first Monarch emerged from its chrysalis at about noon time. I'm kind of worried because its wings have not yet (9:00 p.m.) become fully pumped with fluid. I'm also worried because I have removed the net and I'm not sure if there are any predators out there that may get to it and or the chrysalides tonight.
I have the option of placing the pot in my garage. Do you think I should?