Feeding Monarch Butterflies

[kgallego]

Does anyone have any experience with feeding Monarch Butterflies/Caterpillers to Panther Chameleons?

I'm trying to diversify my Chameleons diet, and I'm thinking about breeding/raising Monarch Butterflies.

Thanks!

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Monarchs are poisonous to birds and potentially reptiles. I would not feed them to chams. Painted Lady butterflies are safe though.

 

[twatts704]

I've heard not to feed monarchs. Rule of thumb that I have always been told is the more colorful the butterfly the more harmful. Go with a less colorful one IMO. Maybe someone will more knowledge will comment though.

 

[kgallego]

I've heard that they can be poisonous, but has anyone fed them in the past that can varify if they are harmful to reptiles?

 

[twatts704]

I have not but if I were you I would not use them. If they even have a potential to be a risk I wouldn't take the chance unless someone can prove otherwise. It is much easier to just use other feeders if you want a variety in your chams diet. There are a lot of safe and easy feeders.

 

[tkilgour]

Monarchs are toxic, but painted ladies are safe.

 

[erik775]

Are painted ladys the ones that are alway flying around?what about thoes all white butterflies that alwsys fly around not too sure what they are called?

 

[shaunaroxanne]

Are painted ladys the ones that are alway flying around?what about thoes all white butterflies that alwsys fly around not too sure what they are called?

Mine love the white butterflies. And the yellow ones. They are safe, assuming they are the same white butterflies that we have in PA.

 

[Dr O]

Monarchs raised on milkweed will be toxic. Viceroy's are very close imitators to monarchs but are perfectly safe. Sometimes people don't realize they're looking at a viceroy instead, there's just a few subtle differences.

 

[kgallego]

Thanks Everyone

Thanks for your input everyone. It appears that Monarchs are out of the question. I'd like to try and raise my own insects, Monarchs were just an idea, but it appears that the majority of insects that I'd like to raise (Stickbugs especially) are illegal in California.