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While going for a walk, my 3 year old noticed a caterpillar, and now I want to raise it into a butterfly. From the research I’ve done online, it appears to be an eastern black swallowtail (we live in southeast Michigan), and I believe it is in the final stage before forming the chrysalis. Does this appear to be correct? My next question, does it still need to eat at this stage or is it basically about to form the chrysalis? The reason I ask, is we currently have a butterfly “cage” with five chrysalis in it already from a butterfly making kit. I believe them to be painted lady butterflies. I don’t want this new caterpillar eating the existing ones if put in the same cage. Any help is appreciated! https://ibb.co/PrBZmSg
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Aug 6, 2020 19:52
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| # ? Apr 25, 2024 07:40 |
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Did you mean eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillar? The internet suggests Canadian Tiger or Eastern Tiger caterpillars look very similar. Caterpillars only eat the plants that they like to eat, it won't mind the other chrysalises. I would put some leaves in for it just in case it's not quite ready to pupate yet. These pages suggest some foodplants that it might like - probably easiest to go back to where you found it to get some food it definitely likes. (Get a twig so you can put it in water inside the cage) https://bugguide.net/node/view/491 https://bugguide.net/node/view/7367 Looks like if it gets stressed it can show spikes off its head?! That's really cool
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Aug 8, 2020 14:21
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Can I resurrect this thread for a question? I’m just not sure where else it would go! I’ve also found a caterpillar, nearly 100% sure it’s a cabbage white baby and we found it in our (packaged) broccoli from the store. It started pooping and behaving like it really wanted to climb so I stuck it in a temporary tall box (with plenty of air holes) and it climbed up and started weaving silk, so I figure he’s trying to pupate. Thing is he’s been there like that totally still no change for about 2 days now and I’m just not sure when it’s normal to start seeing physical change for a chrysalis? I’m worried about the lil guy... Ed: nevermind shortly after I posted this he went through a very dramatic transformation and is now a proper chrysalis. I’m excited to accidentally raise a butterfly! LeafyGreens fucked around with this message at 12:03 on Sep 6, 2020 |
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Sep 6, 2020 08:47
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