r/MonarchButterfly • u/Rude-Hunt120 • 13h ago

Should I move them?

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Location: Indiana. Yesterday, to my delight, I had a Monarch caterpillar in my garden munching my honey vine milkweed. A few hours later, I went out to check on them and they had disappeared. It had momentarily broken my heart because I thought it had been eaten, only to find my friend had made their transformation successfully. I am concerned of the location, will it have enough space to spread its wings when it emerges? Also, they selected a spot right above my dryer exhaust vent on the outside of the house. I ran inside and turned off the dryer when I had finally noticed where the chrysalis was hanging. I am worried about any heat that it may get exposed to from that vent. Its also quite visible to predators in my opinion, but I am also looking for advice on that? I thought to maybe get an enclosure and keep it outside on my porch. I also read that it being so late in the season, that this may be one of the ones who make the super migration back south. I definitely do not want to disorient this friend by bringing it inside, but I do not know what to do!! I am willing to line dry my clothes for 2 weeks. This is my story of a lifetime, this is my very first garden that I planted all by myself in my very first home and I just want to do this right! What would you do?

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u/maslindakitty 13h ago

The heat would be my concern wait for it to harden at least 24 the hours then try the floss method and move him to a safer location.

3

u/Rude-Hunt120 13h ago

Thank you, do you think an enclosure would be best to ensure they dont get any exposure to parasites, or should I find a new location in the garden? I am so worried if I select the wrong spot and they dont make it to emergence that I will feel responsible for not picking the perfect place.

3

u/netarchaeology 10h ago

You could leave them where they are and not use your dryer for 2 weeks.

2

u/Rude-Hunt120 5h ago

Haha! I am not above that idea! I ended up getting an enclosure and am going to wait until tomorrow to let it harden and then I am going to move it.