This allows you to monitor their health up close and with ease. If you have eggs or very tiny caterpillars, it may be best to keep them in a small nursery container for a few days before putting them on the host plant in the pod. Plastic Aquarium Tubing or plastic coated wire -we had some in our craft bin Different species require different host plants, so if you're mail ordering caterpillars to raise, research their needs beforehand. Host Plant -In my case, this is a narrow leaf variety of milkweed.
You could also use binder clips or clothes pins. Choose something thicker like a shipping box over thin cardboard food packaging. Scrap Cardboard -Mine was pulled from our apt. Maybe you have extra tulle left over from wedding decor or another type of netting just waiting in your fabric stash.
Tomato Cage - Mine is a plastic and PVC one from the dollar store, but metal will also work.įine Mesh Netting -I'm up-cycling an old bed canopy that the cats partially ruined with their claws. Maintenance workers often move tenant belongings to do repairs without thinking much of it, but this red netting says "STOP -ask before you touch." If you live in an urban area or apartment like I do, this is a significant issue. This protects your caterpillars and the health of their host plant. It lets them know they probably shouldn't mess with or move the plant without consulting you first. If they do fall, the netting keeps them close to the plant and re-directs them right back to the food source.ģ) The netting around our host plant is a visual signal for other people (neighbors, the gardener, the mailman, etc) that something special is going on with this plant. Give you host plant a once over to ensure it is clear of other insects before netting your caterpillars in.Ģ) The netting and tomato cage limit plant movement and minimize the chances that wind and weather will knock your caterpillars off. Also, some varieties of wasps and spiders will also prey on young caterpillars if given the opportunity. While monarch larvae are toxic to birds, we have some pretty stupid doves in our neighborhood and I wouldn't put it past them to try. Our structure accomplishes several very important things:ġ) The netting protects the caterpillars from predators by walling them out. You may be asking why the caterpillars need a "condo" in the first place.
0 kommentar(er)
