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What To Do If your Monarch Caterpillar Is Infected

6/19/2019

If you have read our Blog on Common Monarch Ailments, you will find that there are many diseases, parasites and infections that can infect Monarch caterpillars. It is a common problem for many Monarch rearers but there are ways to prevent this from happening and also prevent it from spreading. Here is how to prevent disease from spreading once you suspect your Monarch may be infected.

Signs of infection include: discoloration, deformation, blackening, rapid weight loss, prolonged developmental stage (i.e. chrysalis/pupae, 'J' stage etc.)

What You Can Do

1. Isolate Your Caterpillar
If there is a chance of infection, move your caterpillar or chrysalis to an area by itself where it cannot infect other caterpillars. Use a milkweed leaf, gloves or brush to avoid touching the caterpillar directly. If you think you may have touched it, wash your hands afterwards.
TIP: If the caterpillar has reached chrysalis stage and something seems off, you can use a piece of floss or thread to remove the silk pad from the cage and move it to another area.

2. Clean Cage
Once you remove the potentially infected caterpillar, promptly disinfect the entire cage to prevent contamination to other caterpillars. To do this, remove the other cats and place them in a clean holding container until you are finished cleaning the cage. Also, replace old milkweed leaves with fresh leaves.
To disinfect cage you can use a weak bleach solution (about 1 to 10 parts bleach to water) or a natural disinfect such as Meyer's Multi-surface Cleaner. Use a spray bottle or dunk cage in a large tub and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water afterwards and allow to DRY before adding any caterpillars back in.

3. Keep A Close Eye on Your Sick Caterpillar
Check on the caterpillar every 4-6 hours to see if the case worsens. Keep the potentially dangerous Monarch separated until it reaches full metamorphosis to avoid spreading the ailment.

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Retired Teacher from Highland Park Visits Over 400 Students to Help Save Our Monarchs

6/8/2019

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We wanted to share this inspiring story by one of our followers, John Perez, who has helped to create many Monarch educational opportunities within the Montebello Unified School District. We want to encourage all educators and teachers to participate in our Monarch School Program including those involved with 4-H, Scout troops, YMCA and other Community learning centers!
Click here to find out how to get involved with Save Our Monarch's school fundraising program and receive free milkweed packets!

John has worked as a teacher and administrator within the Montebello Unified School District for 24 years. He is an avid environmentalist with a life-long passion for Monarchs and all living things.
When John read about the plummet in Monarch populations, he decided to take action. He said that serendipity allowed the story to unfold.
Initially, he ordered $35.00 worth of seeds with intentions to sell them at $2.00/package in order to raise money for the plight of the Monarch.

A former teacher and colleague invited him to read a book about Monarchs to her class and the word began to spread about his Monarch campaign. He then decided to join forces with his friend who is an actress and they put on a 20-minute musical play about the Monarchs.

They donated 60 Milkweed seedlings to the children in attendance and sprouted 100 mini-planters to donate.

Word of this presentation spread and John was asked by other teachers to share his play. Within 6 months, he worked with 8 separate schools and several classes participated in fundraising as well.

Many teachers and educators have heard of his Monarch campaign and have asked to be included. Bell Gardens Elementary has created a full-scale garden with Milkweed plants and vegetables. A parent/ volunteer has also created an incubation station where eggs are kept safe until they reach adulthood and then released.
At Greenwood Elementary, one teacher and his classroom have created a Pollinator Garden and dispersed 100 Seed Packets.

On behalf of Save Our Monarchs, thank you to ALL of the Monarch educators and teachers!

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What To Do If your Monarch Caterpillar Is Infected

What You Can Do

Retired Teacher from Highland Park Visits Over 400 Students to Help Save Our Monarchs

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