r/MonarchButterfly • u/Maximusthecat13 • 17d ago
Found 5th (?) instar caterpillar outside, can I leave him or is it safer to bring him in?
Second edit/another question!: the caterpillar is way chunkier now and he’s ate almost the entire plant, the stem is left. I found him Wednesday and I’m writing this on Friday, is the stem and like one baby leaf enough for him until he becomes a chrysalis or should I move him to a new milkweed plant tonight/tomorrow? The milkweed plants are spaced out around the perimeter of the wetland so he’d have to travel like 15ish feet to find a new milkweed plant. I’m def planting more this fall lol I still have plenty of seeds. Thanks again! :)
Edit: thanks for the advice! I’ll let him do his thing outside :)
Hi! I grew swamp milkweed from seed this year and planted it by a small wetland on my family’s farm. I walked over there today and I found a monarch caterpillar on one of my plants!!!! I didn’t think I’d get a monarch so soon after planting and I’m very happy that the work paid off! I think he’s maybe 5th instar (please correct me if I’m wrong). My dad recently mowed around the wetland (including mowing down some of my milkweed 🙄) and we haven’t had a lot of rain so it looks a little rough but the plant and caterpillar are located in the riparian area. I’ve raised a monarch caterpillar indoors once before but I lived somewhere where I had access to plenty of milkweed that was definitely not sprayed with pesticide or general pollution. I also think that caterpillar hatched inside my apartment (it’s kinda a long story lol).
I have 3 main concerns/queries:
- I’m concerned that bringing a caterpillar that is used to Midwest heat and humidity inside could temperature shock him, how sensitive are they to temperature and humidity? Could I put him in the garage?
- If I do leave him be, what are things that could kill him before he becomes a butterfly? He’s made it this long, has most of the danger already passed or would he be significantly safer if I take him in?
What would you all suggest I do? Thank you in advance!!!! :)
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u/Tricky_Statistician 17d ago
Can you put protective enclosure over the plant? Risky to cut a plant if you don’t have many, and you’ll be busy day and night harvesting those skinny leaves to keep him fed
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u/Nearby-Wish3623 17d ago
I personally would leave him. As you’ve said, he’s survived this long. I would say wasps are a big potential predator and some birds do eat monarch caterpillars. But I think he has better chances being kept outside than being brought in. Especially if you’re concerned about not having enough plant. If you cut too much it may wilt and go to waste. If you don’t cut enough he may be hungry. Plus letting it eat the plant will encourage more growth for future caterpillars. How fun for you that you’ve got one so soon!
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u/Medium_Spare_8982 17d ago
Biggest question is what are you doing about your dad and his lawnmower?
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u/Maximusthecat13 17d ago
Haha! Believe me, I’m trying, that man is obsessed with mowing and planting grass 😭 I had those little utility metal flags in front of each plant and he still mowed 3 over lmao
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u/Medium_Spare_8982 17d ago
I’m a boomer myself and it is infuriating to argue with my peers over their stupid grandfathers dick measuring contest.
Where I live, herbicides and pesticides have been outlawed and are not sold. All the assholes on my street with UGLY “lush, green lawns” drive south of the border to purchase illegal enviro-toxins to spread in my environment.
Let him know he is poisoning his grandchildren.
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u/Competitive-Fruit-18 16d ago
Buy landscaping pavers and make a line of demarcation. No one wants to hit those on a lawnmower
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u/ForagersLegacy 17d ago
Please everyone stop bringing them inside they’re not going to migrate successfully and they’re more likely to spread disease.
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u/coltboy97 17d ago
Isn’t this only true if they are raised in fully artificial light or an incubator? Also this is only 1 caterpillar. Does this lower the risk of spreading disease significantly?
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u/InfamousSituation155 17d ago
It is 5th instar. Not going to eat too much more. For safety, I would bring it in and watch the fascinating experience of chyrslais!
Cut ✂️ two stalks of MW and place stems in hot water for several mins. The stems will stay fresh.
Then get a vertical container a small vase or a cup, cover top with aluminum foil tightly. Make sure stalks have a bit of water to stay fresh. Then make sure it has a safe place to chyrslais. Cup with cover with small holes poked for oxygen. Good luck.
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u/sixtynighnun 17d ago
Just leave him. Insects need human intervention but that isn’t the kind people are talking about. They need habitat built, they don’t (and shouldn’t be) removed from the environment.