Second graders working in the garden found the larva of the Black Swallowtail butterfly. My friend Ellen, the garden and science teacher, brought them into her lab so students could watch the life cycle of the caterpillars as they prepared to spin their chrysalis and eventually emerge as butterflies. In the period of a week the caterpillars have grown rapidly, powered by constant eating. Their food of choice: fennel. And Ellen discovered you could not try to switch plants. They would accept no substitutes, not even another variety of fennel. It had to be the exact variety on which the eggs were laid. I hope you can see this little guy munching away. Use the magnifier and you can see him holding the stem tightly as he very deliberately eats his way to a new life.
Amazing capture ... beautiful markings and color! I didn't know that about the "switching plants!" I suppose that there's a reason for that ...wonderful information. This must really capture the children's attention. Great lesson.
That is so interesting- who would think that Monarchs are picky eaters! Great capture- I hope you get a shot of each stage of the life cycle so they'll be able to look back on them later. Love how he's munching away!
