Crumpled wings from chrysalis

[Nigel Venters]

V cardui larva easy on Soy Bean (Glycine max)
Nigel

Andria & James Wood <archilochus at mindspring.com> wrote in article
<v01540b03b35d1de25077@[209.30.189.35]>...
> Hi Andria & James
> 
> in response to your comments about my comments...
> 
> >  Sharyn mentioned something about a host plant... what is it for _V.
> cardui_?
> 
> ...I have most luck with Hollyhock and/or High Mallow (Malva sylvestris);
> also you can use Lupine (Lupinus sp.)( Russell Hybrid, is OK; BlueBonnet
is
> better)
> 
> > Maybe she should start them off on that
>  --- No wait till they get about 2 cm at least; and keep them at a
moderate
> temp.  I don't know how old (or how big they are) when Carolina sends
them
> to you, but if they're less than 1 cm, just leave them on their
nutrient...
> 
> ---Did I mention before that I use the potted 6-packs or 4inch nursery
pots
> ?  - just get extras to trade off when they're defoliated; but don't
throw
> out, the plants regrow (maybe for future butterfly generations)!
> 
> Having the plants in boxes (with netted windows, covered with saran wrap)
> will give them room to crawl up the sides to the ceiling to pupate when
> they're about 2 weeks "old" (or about 3 cm big) - The kids can have fun
> decorating their boxes, too. (I do!)
> 
> But as far as being more nutritious, I kinda think that nutrient stuff
may
> actually be better for them...as I said before, (I've left leaves in the
> container with the nutrient and they don't eat the leaves, just the
> nutrient!) don't leave the nutrient it out in the boxes,either-ants will
> find it really fast!
> 
> Lastly, if you have a really big box, or a small tent, you could try for
a
> flight cage and encourage egg-laying - I've had surprising luck with
Dwarf
> Sunflower (Burpees has seeds), or more Hollyhock... Use Coneflower,
> daisies, blackeyed susan, coreopsis or nectaring (as well as watermelon,
> but again you're asking for ants!)
> 
> any way good luck - have fun!
> 
> 
> 
>