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Kelly comments on Post a Comment or Question

Kelly — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:52:42 +0000

Question:

My daughter "saved" 4 caterpillars from my herb garden- they are in a chrysalis now...
The jar is kind of gross from all the "purge" from them and a a casualty. Should I clean the jar or not? One has attached himself to the jar itself. There's mold growing at the bottom and I really wanna clean it out but am afraid that I will hurt the butterflies to be. Any advice?
Thanks!

Ging comments on Post a Comment or Question

Ging — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:34:34 +0000

HI!
Marvelous site - found you through a link from the Butterflies and Moths of North America. I'm trying to rear a caterpillar to, well, whatever (butterfly or moth, we don't know) and I have a question. The caterpillars are decimating my Philadelphus (mock orange) like they have every year. Fast. I'm concerned I'm going to run out of food for the caterpillars I have in the container. Today I cut some branches and put them in water in hopes I'd have enough, but what do you do if the food supply runs out?
Again, this is a terrific site and thanks for all the hard work you put into it,
Ging

Todd Stout comments on Post a Comment or Question

Todd Stout — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:55:52 +0000

Hi Nicolas,

Thank you for those nice words!! I'm glad you like ths site!

Todd

Todd Stout comments on Post a Comment or Question

Todd Stout — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 04:52:19 +0000

Hi Deanna,

Along the California coast, the anise swallowtail uses fennel as a host. I would google photographs of Foeniculum vulgare to see what it looks like (or you could check my photos at
http://www.raisingbutterflies.org/foeniculum-vulgare/.

The anise swallowtails might be using fennel in East Contra Costa County; But, I'm not sure. This butterfly also uses other parsleys in mountain areas. Another option is to contact Theresa at tc@butterflyway.com. She is a butterfly breeder from north of you along the California Coast in Fortuna. She breeds anise swallowtails and might have some suggestions or options.

~Thx, Todd

Deanna comments on Post a Comment or Question

Deanna — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:32:34 +0000

I live in east contra costa and have been looking for anise swallow tail caterpiller to raise with my kids. I used to raise them when i was little, but that field now has a house on it. Do any of you know where we can find some? Thank you.

Nicolas comments on Post a Comment or Question

Nicolas — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:11:48 +0000

Hi Todd

I just realized there was a comment section and allthough you have heard it before i must say that the website is very usefull. I am from Norway, so we have different species, but i find your techniques and methods very helpfull. I just started to try and rear different species 2 years ago and thats when i discovered your site. I currently have lycaenidae larva hibernating which i hope have survived the winter!

Todd Stout comments on Post a Comment or Question

Todd Stout — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 01:19:57 +0000

Hi Gaby,

Can you send an email to todd@raisingbutterflies.org I apologize I didn't get to your email earlier.

Thx, Todd

Gaby comments on Post a Comment or Question

Gaby — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:42:45 +0000

Hi Todd, I found a green caterpillar on my organic cauliflower the other week. I fed it kale, then it started to pupate (I think). I never raised a caterpillar before and am trying very hard with my 2 and 4 yr old! It went from belly up (thought it was dead), to a chrysalis of sorts. I am not sure of the terminology as it's my first exposure to the stages. Half it's body turned into a wing shape form and the other remained similar to a caterpillar. It started to brown on the bottom only. It has remained like this for almost a week now. I moved it to my basement shortly after I realized it wasn't dead to "overwinter" as not to emerge in the cold (we are in NJ). Did I move it down there at the right stage? Should it have turned all brown? It moves as I check it several times a day. Any suggestions? I can send a pic if it helps. Thanks!

Todd Stout comments on Post a Comment or Question

Todd Stout — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 03:55:33 +0000

Hi Sue,

If you feed your butterfly regularly, it can live up to two weeks indoors. Sometimes when you rear them indoors, some will emerge immediately; even if reared late in the year. It has a lot to do with temperature, host plant quality, and daylength.

I hope that helps.

Todd

S Martinez comments on Post a Comment or Question

S Martinez — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 15:11:20 +0000

I have raised monarchs and black swallowtails for over a decade. I have had black swallowtails over winter as pupa, but today, unfortunately one of the six that were in pupa (found in the 2nd week of Sept) emerged. The temperature for today will be in the low 40's here in Chicago - windy and dropping into the 30's over night.

I was hoping this would not happen. I have a netted cage that I will transfer this one to and feed it a 10:1 water/honey mixture. Will this butterfly survive for a couple of weeks? It actually seems to be one of the six that went into chrysalis after two others that are still in chrysalis.

Thank you.