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Post by what on Aug 4, 2019 19:43:51 GMT -5
i was clearing out some dead plants and found a little monarch caterpillar! unfortunately i removed his food source, a milkweed plant that was in an old planter box we had to get rid of. so i plopped him in a little container, and researched some alternative food methods. i cut up a bit of cucumber and added it to his lil terrarium thing, and hoped he would make it through the night. my friend offered one of her milkweed plants for me to take, but that was the next day. he made it through the night, though didn’t seem to eat any of the cucumber. he seemed pretty lethargic , so i replaced the cucumber with a fresh batch and just laid it on my desk for him to explore while i drew. to my surprise, he started munching on it! he ate some cucumber and pooped on my desk. now i’ve just picked up the milk weed and placed him in his new home!! here he is right before i relocated him (with a d20 for scale) here he is just stepping foot onto his new home! i’m so proud of my son :”) ill keep you guys posted on what happens to him.
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Post by what on Aug 4, 2019 21:48:12 GMT -5
update: he’s eaten a hole in one of the leaves. near his pot i found a bee lying on the ground. she would respond a bit if you touched her, so i offered her some sugar water. unfortunately, the bee didn’t make it. i buried her and planted some marigold seeds as a little memorial.
coincidentally, i think marigold is a good nectar flower for monarchs? the little bee is helping out her fellow insects (:
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Post by what on Aug 5, 2019 13:01:35 GMT -5
update: we have good news and bad news. bad news: there was a wasp hanging around in our backyard and near the milkweed plant. it looks like it got to my son and killed him :”( good news: i have deployed some anti wasp measures because of this little guy!
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Post by Leapkit on Aug 5, 2019 13:27:40 GMT -5
An F to our fallen friends and an F U to the wasp.
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Post by what on Aug 7, 2019 21:28:55 GMT -5
babby!!!
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Post by what on Aug 7, 2019 21:37:35 GMT -5
there he is!!!! the bigger guy! but he’s still so little edit: that picture makes him look bigger than he really is, so here he is with a d20 for scale
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Post by Leapkit on Aug 9, 2019 12:30:38 GMT -5
we need a forum plugin that allows me to heart react that
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Post by what on Aug 11, 2019 21:01:56 GMT -5
came back from a weekend trip to see the plant had fallen over! the big guy is unharmed but the plant is leaning now ):
the big guy (who i have deemed Parker)!! he’s grown up so fast :”) a tiny tiny baby! looks freshly hatched, it’s a bit translucent. pretty neat, some twins!
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Post by what on Aug 12, 2019 17:31:19 GMT -5
PARKER IS SO BIG NOW WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED I was scared to touch him cuz i didn’t want to disturb him if he was preparing to make a cocoon.
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Post by Sour Candy on Aug 12, 2019 18:10:45 GMT -5
An F to our fallen friends and an F U to the wasp. I'm a bit late to the thread but CAN I JUST SAY HOW MUCH I HATE WASPSI stepped on a hive of 'em when I was like 5 or something and it was not fun
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Post by what on Aug 14, 2019 15:02:25 GMT -5
THE WASPS HAVE STRUCK AGAIN
tw for caterpillar gore i guess
i found Parker lying at the bottom of the pot, injured from what looks like a wasp attack. a patch of skin was peeled off, but i didn’t see any intestines spilling out, so that was good. i placed him on a leaf and hoped he would make it. he is the biggest guy, so hopefully that heightens his chances of survival. it’s been an hour and he’s still alive.
there was another smaller caterpillar on the netting that was attacked as well, and he didn’t make it. i will research some other wasp deterrents to see what i can do.
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Post by Sour Candy on Aug 14, 2019 15:53:09 GMT -5
For wasp deterrents, I'd recommend killing them with fire
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Post by Leapkit on Aug 14, 2019 18:31:19 GMT -5
Scope around and see if there's a wasp nest nearby and annihilate it with vengeance.
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Post by what on Aug 14, 2019 21:15:47 GMT -5
For wasp deterrents, I'd recommend killing them with fire yeah, i tried that. almost burned down my house but it was a price i was willing to pay. Scope around and see if there's a wasp nest nearby and annihilate it with vengeance. i did check for wasp nests, but i couldn't find any. we did have one in our side yard area years ago, but the nest isn't active anymore. alas, no annihilating with vengeance for me today. on the bright side, Parker is still alive! he hasn't moved from his spot, but he will squirm if you disturb him.
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Post by what on Aug 15, 2019 11:55:56 GMT -5
i woke up this morning and went to check on Parker, but it looks like he’s dead :”(. i went to move him to a gravesite, and i plopped him in a little hole. then he moved! i scooped him up again and have opted to keep him inside so ants can’t get to him. i should’ve done that last night, but i didn’t. he’s barely hanging on though. i have him in front of a window with a milkweed leaf. i’m trying not to keep my hopes up, but we’ll see what happens to him.
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Post by Leapkit on Aug 15, 2019 11:57:59 GMT -5
He may be getting ready to pupate.
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Post by what on Aug 15, 2019 14:53:57 GMT -5
went outside with an old spatula and swatted a wasp so hard out of the air it died. vengeance is sweet.
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Post by spaceotterr<3 on Aug 15, 2019 15:18:08 GMT -5
Even though I’m scared of bugs it’s so sad I hope Parker makes it.
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Post by Sour Candy on Aug 15, 2019 16:09:00 GMT -5
I suppose it wouldn't be the first time a Parker has died
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Post by what on Aug 15, 2019 23:45:21 GMT -5
Even though I’m scared of bugs it’s so sad I hope Parker makes it. aw thanks for the well wishes! just a bit of an update, i have him in a small (not airtight container) by the window for fresh air. he also has some food. i’m trying not to disturb him, even making an effort to keep the room dark since it’s night time. i would give him some fresh foliage, but it’s dark outside and i don’t want to mess with him. I suppose it wouldn't be the first time a Parker has died n i c e o n e
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Post by spaceotterr<3 on Aug 16, 2019 0:01:48 GMT -5
Oof maybe in the morning you could add extra sticks, soil or paper towel or something once you get a good container. If Parker lives he will be a majestic monarch butterfly. You probably already know how to care for a caterpillar and seen this already, but Here you go!
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Post by what on Aug 16, 2019 0:42:27 GMT -5
Oof maybe in the morning you could add extra sticks, soil or paper towel or something once you get a good container. If Parker lives he will be a majestic monarch butterfly. You probably already know how to care for a caterpillar and seen this already, but Here you go! ah thank you! i really hope he’s alive in the morning so i can add some stuff to his container.
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Post by what on Aug 16, 2019 11:27:46 GMT -5
Parker has passed away :”(
in case he is pupating, which i don’t think he is cuz he’s pretty banged up, i’ll leave him in a safe spot in my backyard.
in other news, i’ve taken one of the largest caterpillars into captivity. he’s doin pretty well and i’m setting up a proper container for him. i just want to see one of these little dudes make it! i’m unsure what to name him, but i guess y’all could suggest names? i’ll put up a picture of him and his new home soon.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2019 11:38:48 GMT -5
Rip Parker if you did in fact die
Name the big one Wiggly idk 😆
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Post by spaceotterr<3 on Aug 16, 2019 12:09:43 GMT -5
Mothman! Jk, maybe pickle.
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Post by Turin not Torino on Aug 16, 2019 12:38:54 GMT -5
Evan (main character in The Butterfly Effect)
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Post by what on Aug 16, 2019 13:15:40 GMT -5
nice name suggestions y’all! and here’s the little guy we’re trying to name i have the top covered with mesh secured by a rubber band. he’s by a window for now. this is actually a different caterpillar that’s on the plant, it looks like he might be pupating. his backside is turning a different color and he hasn’t moved. pretty exciting!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2019 13:16:42 GMT -5
I absolutely love him!!!!
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Post by what on Aug 17, 2019 17:54:51 GMT -5
he has just been devouring leaves! he finished three throughout the day yesterday, three during the night, and already four today! i just gave him fresh food and it looks like we’ll have to replace it tonight as well. i’ve cleaned out his container maybe three ones today? all he does is eat and poop lol. i also replaces his paper towel this morning.
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Post by spaceotterr<3 on Aug 17, 2019 17:59:43 GMT -5
He’s probably getting ready to eat and stay in his Cocoon for a while, maybe through the winter?
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