I got some of the net/mesh I use for felting and I put it right under the pot then lifted it up so it goes round the base of the greenhouse thingy then I taped it on. I think I have an escape/insect/wasp proof prison now.
The huge one managed to creep off and make a chrysalis somewhere before I made the prison and I can't find him. However I still have three simply gigantic ones and I rescued one teeny one from the outside swan plants, so there are 4 in Monarch Prison.
I've been watching them on and off all day and it's fascinating. You will never guess what I got a photo of one doing...
No, that is not his face, and Yes, he is doing a poo!
munch, munch, munch!
I also took a wee video - steady cam it's not, but it gives an idea of how they eat and move around. You can see the tiny one on the left side on the same leaf as one of the big ones, it shows how much they grow.
I have to say that I’ve been reading your blog for some time, and feel suitable ashamed I haven’t commented before. I’m very excited about the Freds. Shame the one you nurtured didn’t work out earlier. Anyway, I’m looking forward to these Freds pupating and metamorphosising (is that a verb?) into beautiful monarchs.
ReplyDeletethank you :) I am too - just one would do it, then I'd feel I'd made a wee difference to the butterfly world :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to see a Butterfly from this effort Laura. My Mr4 loved the video!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely photos and video, I always had pet monarch caterpillars as a child and you have just taken me back, too many years to count!
Absolutely stunning!!! Wow. Thanks for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Velva
total disaster, 2 of them seem to have dies/become very sick overnight - and are just lying in the compost in the pot al curled up. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. :(
ReplyDeleteSwan plants must be seriously nutritious - those big ones are huge!
ReplyDeleteSick ones seem to have recovered - I think there was too little air?? SO now I have opened the door and put netting over it. Lots of air = happy caterpillars. ( I think?)
ReplyDeleteYay! The Freds are so beautiful. I think of Alice in Wonderland everytime I see them (the old cartoon). Thanks for posting the video too!
ReplyDelete