Monarch caterpillar count is down from 10 to 9…because of me.
When I’m transferring them to fresh leaves (a task that needs to be done every day) I’m careful to inspect both sides of every leaf to ensure I don’t miss one or injure one during the transfer. I keep a piece of paper taped to the tray with the count so I know how many of the little ladies/gentlemen I need to move. Easy peasy, right? Well, was missing one from one of the trays and double-checking the leaves proved fruitless. Picked up the tray to take it back to the screen cage — and there he was, right under the rim where I grabbed the tray. Not sure why he was there instead of on a leaf, may have been feeling “off” or just got lost, but unfortunately I’m down to 9 of the critters. Most of them are in their 5th instar and should be heading up to the top of the cage shortly to begin their metamorphosis into an adult, so feedings will wrap up shortly and thus the risk of injury. (There are still two that are younger and so will need care for a bit more.)
Oh, and my wife saw another momma laying eggs today, and sure enough, found an egg on one of the plants she had seen the activity at. I’ll leave that one “in situ” and monitor it. It’s a tiny seedling only 5 or 6 inches tall so wouldn’t be able to sustain it to adulthood so I’ll transfer it to another plant if it makes it to that point.
