Thanks for the informative posts. I am trying Monarchs this year for the first time, with my 7 year old son. We are having fun with it, but I am concerned about parasites. We have lost several already to a tachinid fly, and the caterpillars must have had the parasite before we contained them, as the tank has been covered with cheesecloth and metal screen. We do have several chrysalis's, though.
I am concerned about the little wasp parasites. You mention your preferred type of fabric, which sounds like a sheer type. Do you have any problems with ventilation with such a fine mesh?
I just purchased some butterfly pop up cages that unfortunately have basic screen size mesh. I was hoping they would have done better, as they were not cheap. I might give these away, and just make my own. Or wrap them up with better fabric.
Does anyone have success or failure stories with a larger mesh size, such as basic screens? One of the parasites is supposed to fit through only 1mm holes. How about if I keep them inside the house with a screen door, will that potentially limit losses?
I want to lose as few as possible, as my son really does not like to see them die.
Thanks for suggestions.
