Caterpillar Setups > Collapsible Cages
Collapsible cages are ideal for when raising caterpillars either on potted plants or with host cuttings. When using potted plants indoors, place near a window to obtain filtered sunlight; watering the plant regularly.
When using cuttings indoors, keep away from direct sunlight and replace cuttings every three to four days consistent with quality of host. Remove caterpillar frass regularly.
These popup cages are easily sanitized with Lysol or bleach and can be collapsed for storage when not in use. It is easier to see through black cages than white cages in brighter or outdoor environments. Both can be ordered online.
Also, click here for more information on black vs. white cages.
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12" Cube Collapsible Cages
12" collapsible cages generally are available in black or white. Oddly enough, it is easier to see through black cages than white cages where the brighter it is, the better black is over white.
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13" x 13" x 24" Black Collapsible Cage
The 13" by 13" by 24" is nice to use when you need see the contents of the cage where it easier to see caterpillars, host plants, and/or live butterflies than similar white popups. Ideally used for:
- Breeding painted ladies, red admirals, monarchs, buckeyes, and other butterflies
- Rearing caterpillars on potted host plants less than 24" tall
- Obtaining eggs from Viceroy or Lorquin's Admiral Females on potted arctic willow trees.
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Example of Plant Cuttings
Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) cuttings to be placed in a popup cage to feed monarch caterpillars. Replace cuttings every three to four days and remove frass regularly. After a few weeks, monarch caterpillars will hang as prepupa (sometimes called a 'J') where it will form a chryslais approximately 24 hours later.
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Large White Popup Cage
Young viceroy and weidemeyer's admiral caterpillars crawl out of their hiberncula and initiate feeding on potted willows in a large white (23" x 23" x 35") popup cage.
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24" x24" x 36" Collapsible Cage
The 24" by 24" by 36" Butterfly and Caterpillar popup cage ideal for raising caterpillars in larger quantities either on potted host plants or on cuttings. It is also ideal for obtaining eggs from larger swallowtail or brushfoot butterflies.
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13" by 17" Cylindrical Popup Cage
These 13" by 17" cylindrical popoup cages are ideal for several applications:
- Rearing caterpillars on potted host plant
- Emerging butterflies by placing chrysalides at the bottom of the cage or attaching to the side
- Placing up-side-down over live plants with live females or caterpillars to protect from predation
