So many of you left comments about the Monarch caterpillar I photographed a week ago, and I think you were looking forward with me to see what was coming next! I was amazed at the process! Without reading up about it, I'll only tell you what I observed!
In under a week, I saw the 1st caterpillar attach himself to the wall, and within a short time, he turned dark & lost his coloration. It was late in the day, so the next morning, when I checked, the chrysalis looked this perfect (top rt)! I can already make out the pattern of a wing within it!
2nd row, I noted the time to show how quickly this one went through the change, but it hadn't reached the form of the one at the top. On the left, it pulls itself into a "J" shape and shakes itself in order the shed the skin. It's all just so fascinating!
3rd row, I didn't show it, but Ashley pointed out that the entire dark "caterpillar skin" had fallen off (and was caught in a cobweb) Clearly this casing grows inside, and they do not spin cocoons!
On the bottom right, Ash pointed out one that was in the process of the change when it didn't survive and it stopped there. For all the caterpillars, there's aren't as many chrysalis that I can find.
She says when the butterfly emerges, it happens quite fast, so I don't know if we'll still be here, but I'd love to be able to complete the series!
Wow Louise! I am loving this science lesson! Cool photos of the process! I am hoping completion happens before you go home. We have a similar thing going on in our white rose bushes...ladybugs in all different forms of development, which I have never seen before. I have only seen ladybugs...fascinating!
thankyou so much Louise. I have never seen this process and always wondered how they made those lovely shiny chrysalis. To think they are changing from the inside out is amazing.
@gardenfolk What fun that must be for you and what welcome visitors in your yard! It always pains me that people might not recognize a ladybug larva/caterpillar and kill it as it's not all cute and shiny! You're getting a good education right at home, too! Only once in my life I saw a bush up in the mountain wilderness outside Tucson that was thick with ladybugs! How I wish I'd always carried a camera with me back in those days...but I could barely afford the film!
@pamknowler It's been fun to watch it unfolding just in the patio! I go out to check on them first thing each morning!
@cruiser It delights me that I can share what I've been seeing here! I had no idea either, and was stunned when Ashley told me the skin drops away! But the unanswered question still is, how does it go from pale green with light yellow stripes that were under the skin to the smooth casing? I didn't see that happen!
The butterfly house at our state fair did not have photos as clear and precise as these! I do remember their final time in the silk spun chrysalis lasts up to 14 days. Hopefully your daughter and grandsons can keep an eye on it after you leave! Or maybe there is one chrysalis already at day 12! Thank you for the entomology lesson Louise! Fav!
Amazing. We have 2 of the caterpillars in our milkweed, and I could only see one yesterday. Not close to the house, but I am now curious if it attached somewhere. They are nice and fat, for sure.
@laurieewilson Ken and I are inspired to plant a milkweed back at home, too, but you bring up a good point to put it near a wall there they might choose to attach themselves for the next step! Hoping you find yours to follow!
@louannwarren Thanks for that high praise! It brings to mind the notion that the grandkids might someday like to have this panel for a school report on butterflies. I did NOT know that the next process would take 12 days, and we'll be back home by then. Fingers crossed that the kids will see it, and maybe Ashley will be able to photograph it, but they're coming down to see us next weekend, so who knows!
@overalvandaan Thanks, Saxa. See Lou Ann's comment and my reply to her... I'm likely to miss the rebirth!
@mbrutus Thank you! It's been a rather exciting addition to my visit to the kids!
Great collage. We, too, have many Monarch caterpillars and I rarely see a chrysalis. Once, I even kept an eye on it and missed the birth of the butterfly!
@pamknowler It's been fun to watch it unfolding just in the patio! I go out to check on them first thing each morning!
@louannwarren Thanks for that high praise! It brings to mind the notion that the grandkids might someday like to have this panel for a school report on butterflies. I did NOT know that the next process would take 12 days, and we'll be back home by then. Fingers crossed that the kids will see it, and maybe Ashley will be able to photograph it, but they're coming down to see us next weekend, so who knows!
@overalvandaan Thanks, Saxa. See Lou Ann's comment and my reply to her... I'm likely to miss the rebirth!
@mbrutus Thank you! It's been a rather exciting addition to my visit to the kids!