What's involved in raising caterpillars in mesh bags on Amazon.com.
Caterpillars can be grown on exposed host plants and protected from predators by enclosing them and some of their plant in mesh bags.There are large mesh bags that are commercially available.If you want to buy wedding bags, you can go to your local craft/fabric supply store.The bags are made from mesh material.They are intended to be used as gift bags for bridesmaids and other members of wedding parties.I always have a supply of the 34” and 46” sizes on hand.
Attach the leaves and small branch of the host plant to the bag with a knot.While knotting makes it more difficult to get the bag off when you want to, it also prevents small insects from crawling out of it, which can happen if the opening isn't secure enough.It's important to knot the drawstrings.
The first thing to be aware of when raising caterpillar in mesh bags is that they will eat everything in the bag and run out of food.When it happens, it depends on the size of the bag, how much plant material it contained, and the number of caterpillar enclosed.I check my bags at least once a day to make sure there is enough food left for them to eat.You need to move the bag and caterpillar to a fresh branch when they run out.I want to mention that the other thing to be aware of is moving the bags in a minute.
The frass that accumulate in the bags are toxic to the caterpillar.They can also host toxic molds.The frass needs to be out of the bags.The most convenient time to dump the frass is when the bags are open.
Frass can be absorbed by plant roots, posing a danger to caterpillar that eat the plants, if they are host plants.Dumping the frass in a tray or bucket is the best way to dispose of it.
Both frass and the molds they can host are toxic to caterpillar.If a bag is playing host to a caterpillar or if it gets too dirty, wash it and sanitize it.I washed them in hot water in the washing machine.
If the chrysalises are on the outside of the bag, put them in a safe place for the butterflies to emerge.