Monarch caterpillar trouble help

[CrazyConure]

The little baby caterpillars hatched today, and for some reason, most of them have been dangling off a little silk string. They would still be alive. I'm worried what's wrong. I'm trying to detach them from the string, but I can't be outside the whole day looking out for them. Are they dying? There is significantly less babies now than this morning.

Also, I see something really weird in the back of one of the leaves.

 

[Chuck]

The little baby caterpillars hatched today, and for some reason, most of them have been dangling off a little silk string. They would still be alive. I'm worried what's wrong. I'm trying to detach them from the string, but I can't be outside the whole day looking out for them. Are they dying? There is significantly less babies now than this morning.

Also, I see something really weird in the back of one of the leaves.

View attachment 21337

Those are eggs, of what I have no idea. Let them hatch out and see. Just be prepared for anything and have spinosad close by. If the caterpillars are dangling from a silk type string it is for a reason. If they are still alive then it is probably normal. Don't try to change Mother Nature or you will definitely kill them. And just because they are on a milkweed doesn't necessarily mean that they are Monarch caterpillars either. I found the following link interesting but it said nothing about these caterpillars dangling from thread.
http://thefollisreport.com/monarch-eggs/

 

[CrazyConure]

Firstly, I removed the leaf with the mysterious eggs. I don't want anything harmful growing on this plant because I can't spray it if it hatches. I trimmed the leaf with the eggs and set it aside so I can see it hatch.

As for the monarchs, I couldn't find any, but looking further, I discovered that they were all on the top of the plant, eating the new, tender shoots. I don't see anymore dangling for now.

Chuck, I'm pretty sure they are monarchs because the eggs and caterpillars look exactly like a monarch. Maybe those other eggs are a different type of butterfly?

 

[Chuck]

Firstly, I removed the leaf with the mysterious eggs. I don't want anything harmful growing on this plant because I can't spray it if it hatches. I trimmed the leaf with the eggs and set it aside so I can see it hatch.

As for the monarchs, I couldn't find any, but looking further, I discovered that they were all on the top of the plant, eating the new, tender shoots. I don't see anymore dangling for now.

Chuck, I'm pretty sure they are monarchs because the eggs and caterpillars look exactly like a monarch. Maybe those other eggs are a different type of butterfly?

Only time will tell.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Those eggs look possibly like Tussock caterpillar eggs. Another caterpillar that eats milkweed. I'm not sure if they are or not.

Monarch caterpillars do have silk. I've only ever seen the really tiny ones use it. I wouldn't be overly concerned yet. Keep an eye on it and update if something changes.

My recommendation is that mother nature knows best. Try not to interfere too much. Things tend to work out. Tachinid flies are the biggest issue around here, but you won't know until it's too late.

 

[Rajesh Sethi]

I have seen caterpillar dangling on silk thread as long as 10 feet.

I think they might be wanting to change plant.


Sorry, don't know what the caterpillar was, they generally come down from drumstick tree(moringa oleifera) to smaller plants under it.

 

[CrazyConure]

@JBtheExplorer I think you're right! They look exactly like it! The caterpillars were really tiny when they did it. Looks like they aware content now.

 

[roadrunner]

You can never learn if you don't observe. I've never seen eggs like that on my milkweeds, but I'd be really curious what came from them. Observe and learn.

As for monarchs, don't bother trying to help them, there's a reason the monarch lays so many eggs, because so many die, mostly from predation. If you try saving everyone, you'd spend a lot of time; the best you can do is to just create a good habitat for them to do what comes natural. No sprays needed, just habitat and let nature do its thing.