REARING MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

   The Orchard is raising monarch butterflies inside the shop to help save monarchs from natural enemies and to delight in the life cycle of this beautiful gift of nature.  Each step is exciting every time we experience it.  We love to share this experience with our visitors. Many people ask for complete directions on "Rearing Monarch Butterflies."
   Following is part two of our report on how we raise monarchs.  For an outstanding additional reference on rearing monarchs at home or school, see the web site of Monarch Watch.  This web site goes into greater detail about all aspects of monarch rearing and preservation.
 

   In this photo, the pupa is attached to a sturdy stick inside its terrarium.  If you must move the pupa to a better location, Monarch Watch has instructions on its website.  Occasionally the monarch will form its pupa on a leaf in your jar.  Since that leaf will eventually wilt, you need to pick the leaf and tape it securely to the top of the terrarium.  Do this AFTER the chrysalis if deep green.

   Once the chrysalis turns deep green and is firm, you can open the cage and clean out all the leaves and debris since the monarch is through feeding and moving around until it emerges as an adult in 10-14 days.  The exact length of time is influenced by the temperature and season..

The bottom of the chrysalis begins to square off.  Then the tip of a wing pokes through (A).  More wing appears, and the legs are visible inside the now-transparent chrysalis (B).  Elbows, knees and more wings appear (C).  Then the adult monarch pops out of the chrysalis (D). The "birth" takes just seconds. Now the monarch catches hold of the empty chrysalis and hangs upside down to begin expanding its wings (E). If, by chance, the butterfly should slip while trying to catch on to the chrysalis (this happened to me once), offer her your finger (she will catch on with her sticky feet.)  Then place her back up on the chrysalis.  Be careful to avoid touching the unfolded wings.  Within 8 minutes the wings are fully expanded and the whole butterfly is many times the length of the chrysalis (F&G). 

   At this point, let the adult sit quietly to dry out its wings.  You will see wet spots on the paper under the butterfly as the moisture drips away.  Do not touch the wings while they are still moist and soft.  In 3-4 hours, the butterfly will leave the chrysalis and begin wandering around the cage, trying its wings out in brief little flight segments. At this time you can carefully take hold of the monarch, holding the wings together.  Be sure you hold on to all four parts of the wings so the butterfly cannot flap them and damage them. See Monarch Watch for instructions on holding a butterfly. 

   Carry the butterfly outside and put it on a raised tree limb (H).  The butterfly will stay there until its wings are thoroughly dry and hard.  Then it will fly away.  If you have flowering plants nearby, your butterfly may stick around for a day or so, practice flying and sucking nectar from your flowers.  Even if it flies away immediately, congratulations!  You've done your job in raising a healthy monarch that will find a mate and, perhaps, lay eggs for you to find and start all over again. For more details on caring for and releasing your new adult monarch, see the website for Monarch Watch.

   P.S. How did I know that this monarch is female?  Easy!  Male monarchs have a dark swelling (spot) on one of the veins of each of the lower wings.  This is a "scent packet" that helps them attract females.  The female has no dark swellings, but her black striped markings are broader and "fuzzier" looking than the male's.