Hatching Eggs > Separate eggs individually
Some species of butterflies have caterpillars that are cannibalistic if they find other eggs. To avoid natural cannibalism, it is helpufl to place eggs individually into separate containers (small solo cups work great.)
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Monarch egg in small solo cup
Monarch caterpillars, like many other species of butterflies, can be cannibalistic if it finds other eggs, caterpillars, or even pupae. It is important to cut around the egg from the rest of the milkweed plant and place into an individual solo cup until it hatches. Then, place the young first instar caterpillar onto milkweed.
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Solo Cup stack
Place one egg in each solo cup. This strategy is imperative for some pierids including orangetips, spring whites, and marbles. Eggs of these whites usually hatch in 4 days after having been laid.
