5.31.12

Monarch caterpillars like their own personal space!  If two caterpillars are chomping on the same leaf and happen to bump into each other, the normally will rear the heads back and try to bite the other.

{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
5 total eggs

{HATCHLINGS}
0

{NURSERY GUESTS}
29

{CATERPILLARS}
54

***No chrysalis yet... patiently waiting!

I though that I lost one of the itty-bitty caterpillars that are in the nursery, man those guys are TINY!

5.30.12

Monarch caterpillars have two sets of 'antennae' on their body, one long set in the front, and a shorter set in the backend!  While in caterpillar form, these antennae do not assist the caterpillars at all, they are just for show!


{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
5 total eggs

{HATCHLINGS}
3

{NURSERY GUESTS}
29

{CATERPILLARS}
54

***I am hoping that our largest caterpillar will transform into a chrysalis later today!  So excited!!!

5.29.12

Once a Monarch caterpillar is a few days old, the distinct black, white & yellow stripes become bold and so beautiful!

{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
8 total eggs

{HATCHLINGS}
10

{NURSERY GUESTS}
26

{CATERPILLARS}
51... Had been 52, but one caterpillar was found lethargic and translucent.

5.28.12

Monarch caterpillars grow so quickly!  The caterpillar on the left is 3 days old, the caterpillar on the right is two days old!

{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
6 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
18 total eggs

{HATCHLINGS}
16

{NURSERY GUESTS}
16

{CATERPILLARS}
42

***We spied some wild Milkweed plants along the side of the road, and found three more caterpillars to bring home!

5.27.12

This is a newborn Monarch caterpillar - just a teeny black head and a clear body, no stripes or distinct markings yet!


{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
18 total eggs

{HATCHLINGS}
16

{NURSERY GUESTS}
16

{CATERPILLARS}
36

5.26.12

This is a 3 day old Monarch caterpillar - see how much it can eat in relativity to its body!  Just imagine how much a 2'' chubber could eat,  a LOT!

{FINDINGS}
5 eggs
o caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
34 total eggs

{HATCHLINGS}
None

{NURSERY GUESTS}
None

{CATERPILLARS}
20

5.25.12

In the 'wild,' these are the distinguishing chew marks of Monarch caterpillars.  If you are hunting for Monarch caterpillars, this is what you are looking for!

{FINDINGS}
16 eggs
18 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
29 total eggs

{HATCHLINGS}
None

{NURSERY GUESTS}
None

{CATERPILLARS}
20

5.24.12

Today we began our find-fest journey, a thrilling journey to catch a glimpse into the life transformation of the Monarch butterfly.

Inspired by friends who will also be raising caterpillars, we took a peek into some wild Milkweed from our yard, and we were stunned to find our own mini-village right in our own back yard!  Here's to a bountiful season of learning and growing, both ourselves and Monarch butterflies!

We are so excited to find, raise and grow the Monarch population, one Monarch at a time!  75% of the Monarch population has died off because on an early frost a few years ago, and declining Milkweed plants due to urbanization.  Monarch caterpillars have a 10% survivability rate in the 'wild,' but hand-raised Monarchs have a 90% survival rate!  For the {LOVE} of these beauties, we are spending our summer growing the Monarch population and enjoying every minute of it!

{FINDINGS}
13 eggs

{HATCHLINGS}
None

{NURSERY GUESTS}
None

{CATERPILLARS}
2