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Emergency Monarch Caterpillar Question!?

I have four monarch caterpillars. They all hatched ten days ago and are about one and 1/4 inch long. Today they suddenly all stopped moving and eating. They're still alive, and they've had fresh milkweed. However, on their leaves they're all (not hanging) just sitting their surrounded by webby silky stuff. They had sticks and the top of their tank to hold on from, so if they were going into chrysalis they should of gone up there. None of them are hanging either and I made sure the leaves are not dried out. What is up? Please help!

1 Answer

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    They are probably just molting. That is when they change their skin (weird i know!) and then move into a new one. That process can take a few hours. I've raised quite a few monarch caterpillars, and they all molted without any problems. But, if they start melting into a foul smelling goo, thats because they have been infected with wasps, and you won't be able to save them at that point. I hope it is just molting. You can find a lot of information about them at: www.livemonarch.com I've used that website a lot for questions about my caterpillars too! All the best!

    Source(s): I've done EXTENSIVE research on monarch butterflies/caterpillars, and have raised a lot of them.
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