Monarch instar larva stages and caterpillar diseases. Metamorphosis and molting explained!

Рет қаралды 13,854

3 жыл бұрын

In this video I explain and compare complete and incomplete metamorphosis, exoskeletons and endoskeletons, molting and some common monarch diseases and parasites. This is part of my continuing series on Monarchs and the migration phenomena that encourages hands-on participation with home rearing of caterpillars. The series has gone from learning about and identifying common milkweed, finding eggs and larva, caring for larva, building diy critter cages, and now understanding caterpillar life stages and life history. In the next episode we will address the "j-larva" stage, chrysalises and tagging. in this episode I describe both complete and incomplete metamorphosis comparing butterflies to dragonflies and aphids, that later two which go through incomplete metamorphosis. I list and describe some of the major diseases and parasites that may attack caterpillars. I explain in detail the discovery of a pupa parasitized by two tachinid fly larva and how I found out.

Пікірлер: 72

@kenjenkins922 2 ай бұрын

I’ve just bought five butterfly weed Milkweeds from the nursery. They all have multiple eggs, one of them with sixteen I could see. A few individual leaves had two eggs on them. I did confirm with a magnifier that they are eggs. Can’t wait so see them hatch! Thanks so much for this series!

@natureatyourdoor 2 ай бұрын

Hey! That is awesome! Keep me posted on how they do...comment on any of my episodes if you have a question.

@angharad5932 3 жыл бұрын

This is great! You have such a relaxing, but detailed and very clear way of explaining things. Thanks for this great video! I just started raising Monarchs are this was really helpful.

@natureatyourdoor 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for kind words! I will keeping making new episodes for folks like you! Really appreciate your comments and hearing from you. My viewers energize me to keep going and I always seek to improve content and delivery!

@saltlifegull4091 2 жыл бұрын

OMG I'm hooked on his videos! Outstanding.

@natureatyourdoor 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome to my channel Leah! I am so glad you like my shares! You just made my day! 😃 Happy New Year!

@juliannahealy5476 3 жыл бұрын

I thought I knew everything there is to know about Monarch butterflies but I learned so much more!!

@natureatyourdoor 3 жыл бұрын

I packed a lot into this one! :-)

@Wreinie 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, you are totally amazing! The information I am learning from you is awesome!

@natureatyourdoor 3 жыл бұрын

:-)

@natureatyourdoor 3 жыл бұрын

This is what gives me the enthusiasm and makes me smile! Comments like yours carry me into next video!

@natureatyourdoor 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Comments like yours always mean so much to me! Thanks for taking time to share with me! And I am always available to answer questions.

@allisonroorda7937 3 жыл бұрын

So interesting! Thanks for the info about the instar stages. We are new to Monarch care and are trying to increase our knowledge. I measured the one we have now, and he's in the 5th according to your scale. So here's hoping no flies got to him beforehand!

@natureatyourdoor 3 жыл бұрын

You are welcome Allison Roorda! So glad you are engaging with monarchs. I have been rearing, tagging and releasing for over 20 years and it never gets old!!!

@Chopperdoll Жыл бұрын

I learned so much from this. Thank you! This is my first season raising Monarchs and Swallowtails. I only had 4 large milkweed plants and had to order 10 more. I decided to plant about 50 purple swamp weed plants in the back of our pasture so I won’t run out of milkweed. Once the weather cools down I will build a butterfly station to raise more. So far I raised 20 monarchs and 30 giant swallowtails. I hope to do more next season.

@natureatyourdoor Жыл бұрын

Sounds awesome Dixie! Wonderful effort!

@skylady64ish93 10 ай бұрын

How did year 2 go for you?

@katherinesills439 Жыл бұрын

I can not thank you enough for this video! Through you I just learned what happened to several of the caterpillars that I was trying to feed, protect and watch. I feel better knowing that I did not do anything wrong to hurt them. It was just natural. Will continue watching your videos. Please keep up the 👍 job you are doing. 😊😊

@natureatyourdoor Жыл бұрын

Glad this helped! Yes ...a lot of things can happen not in your control! Thanks for your support!

@suehowie152 2 жыл бұрын

Great information..

@natureatyourdoor 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Sue! Sharing about Monarchs is certainly one of my favorite topics. Have you seen my other milkweed and monarch episodes?

@speaklifegardenhomesteadpe8783 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Awesome and helpful!! ❤️🌱😀👍🌼🌿🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

@natureatyourdoor 2 жыл бұрын

You are Welcome!

@Solar6351 Жыл бұрын

Great information thanks! How long would you say is the average length of time for each instars?

@natureatyourdoor Жыл бұрын

Of course it depends but 2 to 4 days in general?

@amandastakeonit7402 Жыл бұрын

Oh man!!! I didn't think about parasites either! How rude of them! 😉

@amandastakeonit7402 Жыл бұрын

I hope you killed the parasitic pupa!

@natureatyourdoor Жыл бұрын

I know, right?

@nickolascrego5716 3 жыл бұрын

Question, I have 2 milkweed patches that are loaded with monarch eggs but all summer long now I have not seen any caterpillars. Is there a reason for this? Is something eating them? I check the eggs every day nothing is happening.

@natureatyourdoor 3 жыл бұрын

The eggs should hatch within 3 days of being laid. Check eggs for striations from leaf to tip. Look for dark spot on 3rd day. If the eggs are healthy you should see these things. Moisture leads to fungal growth. Let me know what you observe and keep me posted!

@metalcatmom5891 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info. I have about 18 wild larve living in the milkweed on my deck amd I have been fretting after them for days. One molted today and I was afraid they had a disease. Whew! My main concern is they are going to run out of milkweed. Any suggestions?

@natureatyourdoor 2 жыл бұрын

Get more milkweed? After you collect fresh milkweed from fields or roadsides ..cut end of stem in bucket of water and place stems in water in jars or vases...to supplement your planted milkweed. Let me know how it works out!

@metalcatmom5891 2 жыл бұрын

@@natureatyourdoor I took a little trip down the road and was able to find some. I called around and my Aunt has some that I can get if they need more. Thanks!

@natureatyourdoor 2 жыл бұрын

@@metalcatmom5891 😄😄😄😄😄😄

@lizoconnor2752 Ай бұрын

Are crustaceans included in the arthropods family? I'm thinking exoskeleton. Crabs, lobster, shrimp, langosteen?

@natureatyourdoor Ай бұрын

Yes! Exactly your logical thinking has led you to a correct conclusion!👍

@amandastakeonit7402 Жыл бұрын

I have never thought about insects getting illnesses.

@natureatyourdoor Жыл бұрын

You can see parasites on the videos I did on in invasive Asian Lady beetles!

@ambermchugh9381 20 күн бұрын

I have less milkweed in the garden this year and started running out.i saw leaves with up to four eggs on them and little flower buds with several as well. At first i was moving the eggs. Is that ok to do? I just started bringing them inside in a Tupperware. Which instar stage is best to put them on the plant? I've caught some cats fighting and eating eggs etc. Naughty 🐛

@natureatyourdoor 19 күн бұрын

Be careful about keeping them inside plastic containers ...eggs and larva need plenty if ventilation to discourage fungal and bacterial growth. It is a tough world out there ..maybe second instar?

@gailcasalini7749 4 ай бұрын

I have a butterfly that emerged yesterday and its wings are crumpled and cannot fly. What should I do to properly care for him? Help

@natureatyourdoor 4 ай бұрын

Oh no! I am sorry. Once the wings dry like that it's done. I try to leave them on some flowers so at least they can walk around and feed a bit. Flying, sadly, will no longer be an option.

@naturelover1181 Жыл бұрын

Hi sir one of my crysalis is in light yellow colour i observed it for few days and then slowly a patch turned brown and i can see the caterpillar inside turned brown what should i do?

@natureatyourdoor Жыл бұрын

Nothing you can do. Just observe what happens!

@sukiyamma8556 2 жыл бұрын

Question:(( I have 16 elephant hawk catipillers im taking care of (Separately) there separated by size, 2 of them are kind of turning black :( i think its a disease and i have no idea how to help :( hes still barley moving but all black and shrivled up..Do you know how to help:( the other one in the box is also turning slightly black too,,,,,,,

@natureatyourdoor 2 жыл бұрын

Sadly, there are many different diseases and parasites of caterpillars ...they are walking, nutritious, defenseless easy prey to bacteria, fungi, protozoan and arthropod parasites especially wasps...see my recent catalpa worm video scene on Broconid wasps! No there isn't anything you can do..part of nature's web of checks and balance and coevolution within an ecosystem. Are your containers well aerated? If not enough air exchange can lead to more fungal diseases. Keep me posted and let me know how many emerge in the end!

@sukiyamma8556 2 жыл бұрын

@@natureatyourdoor Yea im pretty sure I've raised them b4 without any problems with air/food and cleaning, but tysm for your help ill check on the vids and see thank you

@natureatyourdoor 2 жыл бұрын

@@sukiyamma8556 ...sounds like you have it all together! Just bad luck with the disease. I have raised hundreds of monarchs for tagging and release when I was a classroom teacher. They were very susceptible to a protozoa parasite. When it was present we had to go ultra disinfection protocol and sterilize everything with chlorox solution. I really don't know if you may have a mini pandamic in your group...but you will certainly want to sterilize all your things before next rearing as a precaution. Sorry I wasn't more help. Let me know how it goes ..i am interested in hearing from you as you,move forward!

@sukiyamma8556 2 жыл бұрын

@@natureatyourdoor aw thanks yea I've never rlly had to disinfect them b4 because i didn't wanna hurt them since i kind of don't know how any tips? Ill do it just in case, but the outhers seem fine they've all already pupated but the 2 miniature ones aren't moving alot and are turning black and its concerning but the rest seem ok? I think tbh

@natureatyourdoor 2 жыл бұрын

@@sukiyamma8556 sounds good! As a precaution you can choose to disinfect after the generation is all done...before you do next year's..

@tammywalker9463 Жыл бұрын

Help! The rabbits and squirrels have eaten almost every flower that I've planted to bring in the monarchs! I was able to find 4 catapillers 100% success! I can see several monarchs on and around my milkweed, I've placed several puddles. But I was wondering could I put some honey on some fake flowers or in puddles? PLEASE HELP ME 🙏

@natureatyourdoor Жыл бұрын

Can you put a little fence around the milkweed until it's established?

@saundrac9 3 жыл бұрын

You said that the butterfly will only lay one egg on each plant? I have only a few plants, but I have collect about 25 eggs so far and there are still several on my other few milkweed that are in my yard. Also, I’ve noticed the butterfly’s have laid some eggs on top of the leaf, should I try to brink it in, or leave it, thanks.

@natureatyourdoor 3 жыл бұрын

Yes ..well...nature always breaks the rules and generalities that we try to make to better comprehend what we see. The big point I wanted to make is that they lay eggs one at a time...versus for example tent caterpillar sp that as adults lay all their eggs in one mass because the number of leaves in a cherry tree is not a limiting factor. Interesting to observe eggs on top of leaf. I haven't seen that in Virginia. Sounds like your patch of milkweed must have been very attractive to female monarchs and one or more laid many eggs there. When I was in the classroom, my students and I bred monarchs in August and they would lay hundreds of eggs on single milkweed plants in their flight cage. When they hatched we distributed larva on more milkweed..eventually tagging and releasing hundreds. I am curious if eggs laid on tops of leaves have same hatching chance as on bottom. Possibly wrap in netting and keep on eye on them for 3 days! Keep me posted!

@naturelover1181 Жыл бұрын

Hi Sir your videos are very good and informative please do reply as fast as possible THANKYOU I NEED YOUR HELP ** IMPORTANT** i think it is in 4th instar .please help IT IS NOT EATING NOW IT IS ONLY OF 3CM i found and rescued three caterpillars they look same as you showed in the video but they have three sets of antenae or tentacles what are they ? and they also do move a lot try to come out of the container and always active what should i feed them ? is giant milkweed ok? please help me ? how should i take care of them , any necessary precautions? or any measures to take? please do reply as fast as possible THANKYOU I NEED YOUR HELP ** IMPORTANT**

@natureatyourdoor Жыл бұрын

Hi Nature lover! There is a lot of variability in the size of both the instars and subsequent adults. There are also many diseases...bacteria, fungi, protozoans and insects that are mostly out of our control. When they reach their end size after final larval molt..they stop eating and often wander pretty good distances to find the proper place to pupae. Giant milkweed is okay. Be patient...observe ...learn and see what happens. And keep me posted!

@naturelover1181 Жыл бұрын

@@natureatyourdoor hi sir thank you for your reply will keep you posted

@naturelover1181 Жыл бұрын

@@natureatyourdoor sir the one i have is a QUEEN MONARCH HOW SHOULD I TAKE CARE OF IT HOW IT DIFFERS AND CAN YOU ALSO MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT QUEEN MONARCHS THAT IS DANAUS GLIPPUS

@natureatyourdoor Жыл бұрын

@@naturelover1181 queen monarch? Where are you located?

@naturelover1181 Жыл бұрын

THANK YOU SIR FOR HELPING ME AND GUIDING ME VERY HELPFUL AND ALSO GRATEFUL AND HAPPY FOR YOUR IMMEDIATE AND HELPFUL ADVICES GOD BLESS YOU SIR