6.12.12

This first generation of Monarch caterpillars for 2012 has put the frass stage in the past!  Frass is the formal name for Caterpillar poop.  On the right, the frass is from a newly hatched one day old caterpillar, on the left, the frass is from a caterpillar whose 'caterpillar stage' is coming to a close.  BIG difference!  But, as I have said, the frass stage is in the past for this generation, I just have two caterpillars waiting to change, and are in the last 24 hours of their caterpillar life.  These two no longer eat, they are just preparing themselves for the pupae stage!

{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
0

{HATCHLINGS}
0

{CATERPILLARS}
2 Total
2 large
0 medium
0 small

{CHRYSALIS}
47

{MONARCH's}
0

6.10.12

Sadly, I had my fourth (of 53) caterpillar die.  I'm not exactly sure why, but while doing research as to what could be the cause of a caterpillar only half pupating and then suddenly dying, I have read that this 'catty' could have either has a parasite passed from its parents genetic materials (ie: sperm and egg) before it even hatched, or that it just didn't have the energy necessary in pupating.  Sad.


{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
0

{HATCHLINGS}
0

{NURSERY GUESTS}
0

{CATERPILLARS}
9

{CHRYSALIS}
40

{MONARCH's}
0

6.9.12

'J's' EVERYWHERE!!!

{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
0

{HATCHLINGS}
0

{NURSERY GUESTS}
0

{CATERPILLARS}
28 Total

{CHRYSALIS}
22

{MONARCH's}
0


***TODAY was an incredible day in 'Monarching' for me!  Of the SIXTEEN caterpillars that hatched on the same day two weeks ago, FIFTEEN of them climbed into the 'J' position today!  So exciting... and things sure move like clockwork!

6.8.12

'Brothers & Sisters!'

{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
0

{HATCHLINGS}
0

{NURSERY GUESTS}
0

{CATERPILLARS}
28 Total

{CHRYSALIS}
22

{MONARCH's}
0

***I saw a Monarch butterfly in my yard today, it feels like its been weeks since I've seen a winged Monarch!  Hopefully another batch of eggs will be laid soon!

6.7.12

I will never tire of watching the incredible transition from caterpillar to pupa!


{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
0

{HATCHLINGS}
0

{NURSERY GUESTS}
0

{CATERPILLARS}
30 Total
21 large
9 medium
0 small

{CHRYSALIS}
20

{MONARCH's}
0

6.5.12

We don't typically touch our Monarch caterpillars (my four-year-old was dying to know what they felt like!), we most frequently just move the leaf that the caterpillar is chomping on, or we use a wet tipped 1/2" paint brush to move our caterpillars when daily cleaning out their habitat.


{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
0

{HATCHLINGS}
0

{NURSERY GUESTS}
0

{CATERPILLARS}
37 Total
11 large
16 medium
9 small

{CHRYSALIS}
14

{MONARCH's}
0

***I'm THRILLED to have 14 chrysalis's and 4-6 more getting ready to change tomorrow!  Ah-mazing!

***Another caterpillar died today.  I'm pretty sure this one was also bit to death.  Sad.  So far we have a 50/53 survival rate, still MUCH higher than the 10% survival rate in the 'wild!'

6.4.12

After caring for Monarch caterpillars for a couple of weeks, it is incredible to watch the hard work (well, not exactly hard work, just constant care & attention) pay off --- and watching the caterpillars change, one by one, into the Pupa stage!




{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
0

{HATCHLINGS}
0

{NURSERY GUESTS}
0

{CATERPILLARS}
44 Total
18 large
16 medium
10 small

{CHRYSALIS}
7

{MONARCH's}
0

***I'm starting to feel like I need some more eggs... my largest caterpillars are making the great change by the handful these days... it is so exciting!

6.3.12

Most often, Monarch caterpillars are docile creatures, unless another invades in another's feeding territory. I believe that this is what happened to this caterpillar.  I am assuming that a caterpillars blood is green, just like its feces, because all it consumes are Milkweed leaves.


{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
0

{HATCHLINGS}
0

{NURSERY GUESTS}
0

{CATERPILLARS}
54 Total
21 large {+/- 9-14 days old}
15 medium {8 days old}
13 small {4 & 6 days old}
4 chrysalis

***I woke up to find one of my larger caterpillars in a pool of his own green blood. I have been seeing a few feisty caterpillars biting at one another if they happen to touch each other while they are eating, and I know that hatchlings can consume each other if they can't find a food source just after hatching - but this was crazy, and sad.

***There are also three more chrysalis' hanging- and I couldn't be more thrilled!  I did miss two of the shedding their skin, but I enjoyed watching the third with my four-and-a-half year old son, and he was just as amazed!

A Chrysalis in the Making

6.1.12

When a Monarch caterpillar is getting ready to change into a chrysalis, it spins a patch of silk from its mouth, and then attaches its bum to the silk and hand upside down in the 'J Position' for nearly 24 hours before the change to chrysalis takes place.  


{FINDINGS}
0 eggs
0 caterpillars

{EGGS WAITING TO HATCH}
5 total eggs

{HATCHLINGS}
0

{NURSERY GUESTS}
29

{CATERPILLARS}
54

***Still no chrysalis yet... still patiently waiting, but it is close because my largest caterpillar has spun a silky thread and is hanging upside down in the 'J position' getting ready to change!

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.