Help with Mourning Cloak Caterpillar with Missing Legs

  • Thread starter ~christina~
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In summary, someone found a mourning cloak caterpillar outside the zoo and brought it home. The caterpillar started pupating but had trouble shedding its skin and broke off two legs. The person was concerned about its health and wondered if anyone had experience with this issue. They also thought about the possibility of a bird eating the caterpillar. The caterpillar appeared dead after stabbing itself with a spine, but later showed signs of life. Some people advised the person to leave the caterpillar alone instead of prodding it with toothpicks. The person was considering smelling it to see if it was dead.
  • #1
~christina~
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I found a caterpillar the other day when I went to the zoo. (outside the zoo exit while waiting for a ticket)
It was black in color and had red spots on it's back and really sharp spikes.
It was on the concrete and I assumed it fell from the tree that was behind a fence and draping over the whole sidewalk. I used a leaf to get it into a small candy box I just had on me. I found it was a mourning cloak caterpillar when I got home.
Well the problem started after I brought it home. It was already large and then I thought it was about time for it to pupitate/pupatate but fed it some veggies anyway.
It then proceded to spin a web of silk on the wall of the container I placed it in.
It's middle sucker leg became attatched to the web and it just hung there.
There it remained until right now this evening. I actually thought it had died but when I poked it lightly it decided to shake a bit on it's backside. (it was in the shape of a C hanging on the wall) I looked up something on the internet about their behaviour, it was found that they do remain in that position until they molt their last skin and form their chrysalis.

Problem started after it decided to shed it's skin. Well this is one clumsy caterpillar and when it was wiggling it's leg broke off, yes it's old skin leg broke off and it fell onto the bottom of the container. (a 5 mm fall) And it can't get out of it's skin. They would, I assume usually by their attatched backside (not middle legs like this caterpillar) wiggle out of their old skin. This one just fell down with 2 missing legs but not much of an opening where those legs fell off. :frown:

:confused: Not sure what to do now...do I wait to see what happens?
It's spines have become wiggly and fell of though when it was rolled over by me and a tootpick, but other than that nothing is happening and I think it's exausted. How would it get out of it's skin??

Has anyone ever raised a caterpillar with this issue?
 
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  • #2
Mr.Caterpillar decided to try and kill himself yesterday, by rolling onto one of it's spines.
It was quite scary, as the caterpillar blood/juice etc, was dark dark almost black green colored. I of course assumed it was dead, but when I used a toothpick to poke it a bit, it decided to MOVE! Other than that, it doesn't do anything at all and just lays there.

I guess I'll just watch it. :uhh:
 
  • #3
:eek:

LOL!
 
  • #4
Sounds like natural selection to me.
 
  • #5
I'm sure that there is a bird in your neighborhood that would just love it.:wink:
 
  • #6
edward said:
I'm sure that there is a bird in your neighborhood that would just love it.:wink:

:rofl: I thought the exact same thing.

Update: caterpillar appears dead (rigor mortis like look) but alas! it is ALIVE! 1 whole day after stabbing itself with it's spine. I poked it's head with a tootpick and it's behind wiggled!
Not sure, but the fact that it is stiff may mean that it's forming a chrysalis, but the confusing thing is that the caterpillar has not shed it's skin :confused:
I am afraid that it is infected :frown: where it poked itself. (has gotten fatter at that part not to mention it is also white there too.)
 
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  • #7
Maybe if its captor would stop tormenting it with a big wooden stick, it would quit trying to attempt suicide. :uhh: I vote just leave it alone...you're either going to have a dead caterpillar or a live moth/butterfly eventually, and I'm pretty sure poking it with toothpicks isn't going to induce the latter any more than leaving it alone will.
 
  • #8
Moonbear said:
Maybe if its captor would stop tormenting it with a big wooden stick, it would quit trying to attempt suicide. :uhh: I vote just leave it alone...you're either going to have a dead caterpillar or a live moth/butterfly eventually, and I'm pretty sure poking it with toothpicks isn't going to induce the latter any more than leaving it alone will.
Are you suggesting I just smell it to see if it's dead?? (the whole purpose of the gentle nudge with the stick :rofl:)

I am leaving it alone though. If it starts smelling..I'll have to toss it.
 

1. What could have caused the missing legs on my Mourning Cloak caterpillar?

There are several possible reasons for missing legs on a Mourning Cloak caterpillar. One common cause is natural predation, as these caterpillars are a food source for birds and other insects. Another possibility is injury or damage from environmental factors such as extreme weather or parasites. It is also possible that the caterpillar was born with a genetic abnormality that caused the missing legs.

2. Will my Mourning Cloak caterpillar be able to survive with missing legs?

While it may be more challenging for a caterpillar with missing legs to survive, it is not impossible. Caterpillars have the ability to regenerate lost limbs, so the caterpillar may be able to regrow the missing legs over time. Additionally, caterpillars with missing legs may adapt and still be able to move and feed effectively.

3. Is there anything I can do to help my Mourning Cloak caterpillar with missing legs?

If the caterpillar is in a safe and comfortable environment, there is not much that can be done to directly help with the missing legs. However, providing a healthy and varied diet can help the caterpillar stay strong and increase its chances of survival. It is also important to keep the caterpillar in a clean and stress-free environment.

4. How can I prevent my Mourning Cloak caterpillar from losing more legs?

To prevent further loss of legs, it is important to provide a safe and suitable habitat for the caterpillar. This includes keeping the habitat clean and free of potential predators or hazards. Additionally, providing a diverse and nutritious diet can help keep the caterpillar healthy and less susceptible to injury or illness.

5. What is the life cycle of a Mourning Cloak caterpillar with missing legs?

The life cycle of a Mourning Cloak caterpillar with missing legs is the same as a healthy caterpillar. After hatching from an egg, the caterpillar will go through several stages of growth, shedding its skin each time. Once it reaches its final stage, it will form a chrysalis and eventually emerge as a butterfly. However, it may take longer for a caterpillar with missing legs to reach adulthood and it may have a shorter lifespan due to its injury.

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