this post was submitted on 24 Jan 2024
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Monarch caterpillar (lemmy.nz)
submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
13 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/tools-and-resources/identification/what-is-this-bug/monarch-caterpillar/

It's that time of year again, when the kids (and myself) get overly invested in the lifecycle of these grubs. Last year we managed maybe a 10% success rate (from egg to butterfly) hopefully we'll do better this time round.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I had about 5 swan plants.

I get why the rate of decline in monarchs.

They would eat a plant to destruction them move on to the next one. I lost hundreds of caterpillars. Still have some cocoons that didn't survive from last year.

They really need to come up with a better plan. Also doesn't help that swam plants are poisonous to a bunch of other animals. So can't plant them anywhere near where other animals are.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Also, wasps eat the caterpillars and if they find the plant, will keep coming back till they’re all gone!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Ah so they. We have millions of wasps.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

They also eat moth vine so you can switch them to that.

The really big ones (after their moults) can finish off with pumpkin peelings!

You can plant South American Milkweed instead of swan plants, butterflies lay on that.

Giant Swanplants are bigger and hardier as well.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Where do I get moth vine and giant swan ?.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Giant Swan is found for sale, maybe the Moths and Butterfly Trust on Trademe is selling it?

Moth vine is a common pest plant, there's probably some in any suburban area your council can't reach with spray.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Looks like giant swan is what I normally use. I don't live anywhere near suburban. But I'll be on the look out. Sounds like it dies off in the cold

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

So today I saw a Monach butterfly looking thing, but it was only about 1cm long. I'm under the impression butterflies come out of the chrysalis the size that they stay. Anyone know what I might have seen?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

Hmm, maybe, but the sizes don't seem right. I'd guess maybe the painted lady, but it was very small, not near 5cm. I'd guess 1cm high and 2cm wide as a maximum. These state maximum sizes, maybe I just saw a smaller one?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Sounds like a Copper.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

It might have been! Unfortunately I didn't get long enough of a look, and definitely not enough time for a photo.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Thank you, I've been away from my butterflies this year so it's nice to see this.

Hope you do well too. In recent years I have taken to giving precarious cocoons (attached to green leaves etc) a safety rope made out of cotton so they won't fall, seems to work.