🇨🇦 🍁 Rebecca • Feed
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🇨🇦 🍁 Rebecca @85foxes.bsky.social

I'd say both caterpillars are in the 5th instar now. I can't believe the big guy hasn't started his nap yet! Some very subtle changes in the pupa that I can see when I use the light on my phone. I want them to hurry up now - the nights are getting cold! #monarch #caterpillar #pupa #cocoon

Monarch pupa looking just a little different. With the light, I can just start to make out the outline of the wings pattern 5th instar monarch on milkweed. This guy has been chowing down! Nap a nap already, Big Guy! Smaller 5th instar monarch caterpillar with small yellow bugs on the milkweed.
aug 27, 2025, 11:36 pm • 13 0

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John Roscoe @johnroscoe.bsky.social

Marvelous!

aug 27, 2025, 11:38 pm • 2 0 • view
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🇨🇦 🍁 Rebecca @85foxes.bsky.social

I'm getting anxious for them all to level up! 🤣

aug 27, 2025, 11:40 pm • 4 0 • view
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🇨🇦 🍁 Rebecca @85foxes.bsky.social

I don't know what those yellow bugs are. I don't recall seeing them before. I obviously have to just live with them or else I'd risk hurting the caterpillars.

aug 27, 2025, 11:39 pm • 3 0 • view
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justmeshelley.bsky.social @justmeshelley.bsky.social

Aphids?

aug 27, 2025, 11:51 pm • 1 0 • view
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🇨🇦 🍁 Rebecca @85foxes.bsky.social

They must be. I haven't seen a lot of ladybugs this year so that would explain it!

aug 27, 2025, 11:53 pm • 1 0 • view
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justmeshelley.bsky.social @justmeshelley.bsky.social

Our greenhouses sold lady bugs . Do you see lot of wasps? Because they seem to like aphids.

aug 28, 2025, 12:12 am • 1 0 • view
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🇨🇦 🍁 Rebecca @85foxes.bsky.social

Not many this year. I think the extended high heat must have killed a lot of the aphids'natural predators.

aug 28, 2025, 12:26 am • 4 0 • view
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justmeshelley.bsky.social @justmeshelley.bsky.social

Oh ok

aug 28, 2025, 12:30 am • 2 0 • view