This is the cocoon

This is the cocoon I'm watching. You can see the dots from (I think it's wings).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.