I wish we all had that problem. I have milkweed plants coming out of my ears, since I've been making an effort to expand my native plantings. If I were you, I'd go out and buy more plants. If you want, you can check back here in the fall and many of us will have plenty of seed to share. I wish you the best of luck in keeping those cats going. Encourage all of your friends to plant more milkweed.

Martha

Right, I should be happy and I am! I'm loving it, checking on them constantly! I'm lucky to have lots of butterflies floating around my yard, they are so peaceful. Off to buy more milkweed!

If your caterpillars are 5th instar, there are alternative foods for them. Check out the link below.

KC

Here is a link that might be useful: Do your monarch cats eat pumpkin???

Thanks for the link KC. I'm sure they are 5th instar, they are huge and I can see the white spots on the legs. I keep thinking they will go find a place for the next phase...I'll try cucumbers and squash today since they are apparently ravenous! Thanks for the suggestion. Beth

Congrats, Congrats!!
Here's hoping you get 100% eclosure :) Every butterfly, every egg counts

John

Hungry caterpillars! One sampling the cucumber....

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:476279}}

Glad it is working. I have yet to try the alternative foods. Have not been forced into that corner.