Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

I found these little Monarch caterpillars on my milkweed today. The first time I've had a Monarch lay eggs there. It will be fun to watch them.

Awesome! Love them! We count Every time we see one.

I found a monarch caterpillar on my potato plants this morning..go figure

I didn't realize they start out so small, we get the luna Caterpillars here but by the time I notice them they are the size of a small cigar.

It only takes 2 weeks from this tiny size to ready to make a chrysalis. Amazing. I won't be able to count them until they are bigger. I have two kinds of milkweed. So far all the caterpillars are on one kind.

I have 7 caterpillars. They grow fast.

I've been bringing them inside to keep them safe from predators. I have three kinds of milkweed and they like the swamp milkweed the best and the Asclepias Tuberose the least. I've read that it they prefer the swamp kind because the milky sap makes them taste bad to birds, but how would the birds know unless they chomp one???

Tom, that's very weird about the monarch on your spuds!!! Must be one very confused monarch!

Our garden centre here captures them and keeps them inside until they become butterflys when they release them.

I read about keeping them in the house, but I think their chances are better outside. They are 1 week old and about 1" long.

I have 12 caterpillars. Tomorrow is 2 weeks since I saw the first one. The milkweed is holding out so far, even though I don't have a lot. They are getting close to mature size and walking around a lot. I wonder if I will be able to find any of the chrysalises. I will be looking for them so I don't damage them.