The 8th butterfly emerged today. I had an early morning appointment and when I came home he was out and gone, so no pictures for the baby of the group.
I'll be adding swallowtail butterfly products and later when the Monarchs pass through I'll try to get some photos. So far I have not seen a monarch cocoon, but if I do I'll try to make sure it becomes a butterfly.
Black Swallow Tail
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Yesterday's Butterfly
This beautiful butterfly emerged yesterday, I wasn't able to be home when it came out of it's cocoon. I found him and moved him to a better spot, but he was old enough that he didn't want me messing with him and he took of shortly after this shot.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Swallowtail Poster
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Another one emerged this morning
Only two cocoons left. I feel so good. I never expected (although I really, really hoped) to get them all from caterpillar to butterfly. I wasn't here for the emerging, I did get a few good photos & will post one later.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Three Left
I had been watching one cocoon all morning and off and on into the afternoon. I was sure it would emerge today - and it did - when I wasn't watching. It set up it's drying area where I couldn't get very good photos but there are two good shots to share. The first is the best cocoon shot to date and the second is the cocoon after the butterfly has emerged.
Then there were two
We watched both butterflies dry out for the longest time. They seemed quite comfortable just hanging there. When they finally did float away of course I missed the photos. But it was quite a morning watching these two.
Four left in cocoons.
Hanging Out
The butterfly moved around the flower plant and settled on this leaf. He stayed here for well over an hour.
On a Flower
I managed to get him onto a flower (I was very careful!). You can see his wings are still curled, and his legs are weak.
Totally Emerged from Cocoon
The butterfly is now totally out of the cocoon. Within a few minutes I moved it to the flower plant outside the box where he stayed until he was strong enough to float away.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Emerging
I was talking to my husband, turned and the butterfly had started to emerge. It is such a silent process and happens so quickly I felt lucky to get this shot.
Much Stronger
This butterfly is much stronger, but he will continue to rest and gain strength for at least another hour.
In the mean time I saw that another butterflies cocoon was changing. The cocoon looks like it is getting darker, actually the cocoon is becoming translucent and the darkness is actually the butterfly. I brought the box over to where I could sit and wait for it to emerge & luckily spotted it just as it was emerging. I didn't get great pictures because of the location of the cocoon, but some are worth sharing.
Great Butterfly Day
This morning I went out to check the cocoons. One of the butterflys had already emerged. I helped it to a flower and started to take a few pictures. As you can see it's wings are weak and wet, his legs are also very weak. The body of the butterfly is rather small when it emerges. The wings and legs grow stronger and the body grows larger. The butterfly will hang, gaining strength and drying its wings for an hour, sometimes more than two hours.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
One more
Another butterfly emerged this morning. I saw that it had started to change from it's bright green to a darker color so I figured today or tomorrow. I set some flowers up for it and then got busy because I had to leave the house. I looked out and there it was sitting on the flowers. As I opened the door it flew away so no pictures this time. NEXT.........
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Bambi & a Butterfly
How cute is this? This design is available not only on T's but also on numerous items like stamps & mugs & ever so much more.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Still Weak
I was going through my shots and came across this one that shows the weak and wet wings. the thing that amazes me is that it took this butterfly about 1 1/2 hours to fly, I don't know how it survives without a little help.
First Butterfly
I was positive it was going to be today & I set up & watched and watched, finally I decided to take a break & wouldn't you know when I came back to check it was out of the cocoon. I knew this would be a difficutl time for the butterfly & he was having trouble trying to grab onto the smooth side of the container. Finally he turned and dropped down, he touched the water in the glass holding the lily & I took the lily out for his safety & my photos. I think the lily was a little smooth and difficult to hang on to while growing stronger and drying his wings. I moved the lily to a plant of red flowers and that seemed much better for him. He stayed for over an hour and then when I took a second break he floated away. So I missed the beginning and the end, but I have seven more trys.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
What's going on?
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/ChrysalisDevelopmentLPB.html
As I raise these beautiful butterflies I began to wonder what goes on inside the cocoon to change the caterpillar to a butterfly. I found the above amazing link - like who knew!
As I raise these beautiful butterflies I began to wonder what goes on inside the cocoon to change the caterpillar to a butterfly. I found the above amazing link - like who knew!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Beautiful Day
It is just beautiful today, I would love to have the first butterfly emerge today. It is hard to see if there are any changes going on. I think I might see some color changes but don't know if it is just wishful thinking or not. I would turn the container so I could see better, but the cocoon on the outside of the container would be a problem so I just have to be patient & ready.
Friday, July 1, 2011
More Zazzle Designs
Black Swallowtail on Chaste by littlewingdesign
Join one of the biggest graphic design affiliate programs
A beautiful delicate black swallowtail butterfly by Little Wings Designs.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Everyone a Cocoon
They have all entered the cocoon stage. Now that they have stopped moving I can get an accurate count and there are 8 cocoons. I have brought all of the cocoon containers out onto our back deck. I put them on the bottom shelf of a serving cart and wrapped netting around the cart as I unerstand birds and other critters like the cocoons for a meal. Ihope this will keep them safe and also allow some movement if they emerge while I'm not looking. I'll buy some plants for them to start off on today and then wait for them. If they stay in the cocoon for 10 days as I have read the first one should emerge around July 2nd so I'll be keeping a close watch.
The first photo is of one caterpillar that decided to cocoon on the outside of the container, not a spot I would have choosen. In the second shot one of the caterpillars choose the netting, that's not so bad, at least I could get a photo.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Only one caterpillar left
All but one of the caterpillars are now in the cocoon state. One is attached to the wall of a box and will probably become a cocoon tomorrow morning. The last caterpillar is still on the anise & I'll be watching.....
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Slowing Down
Things are slowing down in caterpillar world. All but three are either cocoons or going to be cocoons very shortly. The last three are very big and it won't be long.
Then I'll take them all outside, cover them with netting to keep the birds away and keep watch in the hope of catching each one as it emerges - it is an amazing and wonderful sight.
Then I'll take them all outside, cover them with netting to keep the birds away and keep watch in the hope of catching each one as it emerges - it is an amazing and wonderful sight.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Progress Report
Two as reported already are cocoons.
Two have started the proess.
I expect that another two are getting ready to start the process and the last three are still growing.
Two have started the proess.
I expect that another two are getting ready to start the process and the last three are still growing.
Friday, June 24, 2011
One Took A Trip
One of the caterpillars took a trip and managed to get outside of the container. I went in to check last night and thought for sure I had lost one. I finally found it on the bottom of the outside of the container. I decided to put the next two large caterpillars in a separate box with a net covering so I could keep better track of them when they start looking for a spot to cocoon. We had major rain, wind and some hail the past few days, I'm happy I was able to provide a safe haven for these little guys.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Now a Cocoon
Sometime during the night or more than likely early this morning this one shed its skin and became a cocoon. Seeing the little threads they use to hold on with I find it totally amazing that they survive to become butterflies.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
First One
This is the first caterpillar to start the process of becoming a cocoon. While I was away it must have traveled until it came to this spot. It has attached itself to the side of the container, you can tell it is finished traveling because of the curled shape it is in. Soon and very quickly it will shed it's skin and start to turn into a cocoon. I hope I'll catch one of them doing it, it happens very quickly.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Won't Be Long
It won't be long, they have gotten so big. I'm sure that within the next few days they will start looking for a spot to cocoon. I will be out of town for a day & hope that they hold off until I get back. We will just have to wait & see.
Disaster Averted
I went to check the caterpillars this morning and discovered that the larger therefore heaver caterpillar had weighted down the anise branch and the caterpillar was just on the top of the water. He is ok, but it could have been a disaster, I don't think these guys are very good swimmers. That was the end of the cute little dishes with the wide open tops. We ran around looking for narrow top containers and fixed it so no caterpillar could land in the water.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Frass
One of the reasons you have to check the caterpillars daily is because they produce quite a bit of frass (caterpillar poop). Also the water for the anise needs to be changed daily. I get new anise, clean the water container & add fresh water & place the fresh anise in the water. Then I carefully snip the piece of anise that the caterpillar is on and place it on top of the fresh anise. They seem to realize what is fresh and move onto it. Later when they have moved I'll remove the old anise. I don't think it takes much more than 15 minutes to clean & refreshen their area.
Changes Going On
This seems to one of the older of the babies. It has started to change and will soon look like the larger caterpillars.
Getting Big
This is a pretty neat shot. The caterpillar was on the bottom side of the anise so we can see his little white feet and how they hang on tight to the anise. The older caterpillars are getting quite big. Soon they will start to look for a place to go into the cocoon phase. This is the most difficultly time as they really search for a spot and just try to go all over the place. I hope I will be able to keep them in the box. I also hope they cocoon on one of the branches I have placed in the box. That way I can move them so the younger ones can complete their cycle with plenty of room.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Keeping them Contained
When the caterpillars get bigger and start getting ready to become a cocoon they start to look for a good spot and they travel. I would rather they stay in one spot. It's safer for them and easier for me. I am sure there are many different methods for keeping them contained. This one usually works for me. We took a container, turned it upside down & cut out the bottom (which is now the top. This way the previous top is straight and sits evenly on the floor. We drilled holes for ventilation and then covered the holes with screening putting it on the outside to prevent any sticking or cuts. Now I can easily access the caterpillars and when they start to travel I'll put sticks and branches in for them and will cover the top with netting so they can't get out.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Beautiful!
Developing Caterpillar
Three of the caterpillars are getting to be a nice size. They still have some growing to go, but now you can see their little white feet.
Lavender
Rather than fields of lavender there were large patches of lavender here, there and everywhere. I didn't get as many photos as I wanted, but am happy with what I got, of course lavender will do that to you.
Lavender Farm
I'm goint to a lavender farm today. I think it should be lovely. I'll post some lavender photos and some caterpillar photos when I get back. The caterpillars are doing well & growing as expected.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Unexpected
We have fixed up a container to use for the caterpillars and I but it out on the porch. We had a bit of a dip in temperature and some rain and when I went out to check most of the littlest caterpillars had fallen off the anise. I took a guess and brought them inside where it is warmer, gave them some fresh anise and laid it on top of them. I went back in an hour to check and was very releaved to find all of the babies had climbed onto the anise and were eating. I think I'll keep the little ones inside for a few more days & give them a better chance.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
While the Caterpillars Grow
While the Caterpillars are growing bit by bit I thought it would be enjoyable to look at butterfly products made by some artists at Zazzle.com.
Monday, June 13, 2011
They Do Grow Fast
This morning I decided to separate the larger caterpillars from the smaller ones just because I think they will be easier to keep track of. I have either eight or nine, one time I count & can only find 8, the next time I find 9. I hope when they get a little bigger I'll be able to get an accurate count. I brought in fresh anise and put it in little cups with water so it will stay fresh all day long. It is very important that the caterpillars have fresh food.
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