I had a similar problem with some caterpillars on a potted willow. With the food supply depleted, I tried to "transplant" them to another tasty willow, but I couldn't get them to release from the twigs!

Rick

What do the Monarch caterpillars look like? I noticed 4 caterpillars on my 1st year (wintersown) swamp milkweed a few days ago and since I didn't know for sure if they were monarch caterpillars I left them alone. I noticed last night they were gone from the milkweed, but saw the same type on the other side of the yard/garden on a few other types of plants. If someone could post a pic of them, that would be good. I don't want to disturb the caterpillars if they are monarch or other good caterpillars.

Thanks
Sandy

there's a million pictures already on the web.

below is a link to some found using google's image search.

HTH

Here is a link that might be useful: monarch caterpillar

Last night one of my cats was batting something around in the living room. When I went to check on what it was, I found a Monarch Caterpillar. It must have come in with me at some time or other. I took it out and set it on a butterfly weed, and he seemed OK. It's so great to be seeing them and the Monarch butterfly in greater numbers this year.

I just witnessed the 2nd caterpillar emerge in its chrysalis! There aren't words to describe it. One more to go. I hope they all make it to butterflyhood.

Thanks for the pics Leaves. I most difinitly am the mom to over a dozen monarch caterpillars. The ones I thought had left my swamp weed are still there. They moved a bit, I counted 7 in that batch. Then another 5 or more on the other side of the garden. I hope I can see them Chrysalis.

Bob (the 3rd one) went into the J shape last night. He'll change sometime today, but I'll miss it--have to be out all day.

I've got a more useful "caterpillar castle" on order that I'll have to transfer them into before the butterflies emerge. Their temporary home right now is too small.

They're behavior is more complex than I imagined; it's fascinating to watch them! And it's fun to think of Bob, Alex, and Chris joining the migration towards Mexico later this fall...

I had a Monarch emerge from a Chrysalis that I bought at the state fair(not as exciting as your experience) and it was very friendly and would crawl all over us before we released it. Too Cute!!!

YAY! I love bringing them in...

You don't find chrysalis much outdoors because they do NOT form them anywhere near milkweed plants. I've found them on my tomato frames and on the edge of one of my raised beds. I have raised three so far this year (I'm involved with the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project) and somtime today, if it stops raining enough, I need to head out and count eggs and cats again :)

-Marie