First: let me announce the names of the monarch caterpillars. After much consideration, and taking into account your comments, I have decided to name the caterpillars: Maddowpillar (the bigger one) and Lambchop (the smaller one). I hope Rachel doesn't mind.
But there's an even bigger development here in caterpillar land: Maddowpillar is getting ready to make a chrysalis! It is hanging from the netting on the shoebox in a J-shape, which is the first step. Next, Maddowpillar will start to shake, its skin will split open and underneath will be a wiggly blob that after a couple of hours will harden into a gorgeous, jade green chrysalis with a tasteful row of gold dots.
Lambchop is up on the netting, too, and it looks like it's only a matter of time before it starts to hang as well.
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Happy chrysalis making... Enjoy Maddowpillar and Lambchop... Transition and transformation is a challenge but you will soon blossom and spread your little wet wings and fly.
Happy chrysalis making day(s). Transformation can be tough but Maddowpillar and Lambchop I know you can do it. One day you will blossom and spread your little wet wings and fly.
They're like the opposite of Congress. Activity, quiet contemplation, a breakthrough, and a beautiful result.
keep us posted please!!!!
OMG! I used to do this when I was little. I'd raise them in ice cream pails that had cut out cellophane windows. My first one was named Diet Coke.
I look forward to both of your monarchs being well hung.
Was hoping for Caterpclysmic and Caterpult
My bad.
It is nice to be focusing on this natural beauty since there is so much ugly going on in our country.
Tricia, I'm so happy the babies are doing well! Thanks for keeping us posted on their progress.
I raise and release butterflies (including monarch butterflies) and live in the Houston area. I have only raised two monarch b'flies this year because of the drought although I usually raise them nine or ten months of the year.
Monarch butterflies have been researched extensively. Visit the website monarchwatch.org!
best wishes to the (soon-to-be) chrysali and future butterflies who will join the big sojourn to Mexico
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/
When they turn from the dark cocoon to the green crystalis gem with gold specks their entire DNA changes! Monarch tagging just started here in Cape May Point! We are also trying to catch a lost Homing Pigeon that got swept here by Hurricane Irene.
https://picasaweb.google.com/ChrisWimberg/HurricaneIreneHomingPigeon?authuser=0&feat=directlink
OMG, I just had the most visceral, virtual-reality flashback! I remember the caterpillars and chrysalises (sp?) we had in 1st grade. I remember being fascinated that the chrysalis had sparkles on them and loving the vivid colors of the caterpillars. Weird. I could even smell the classroom in that flashback. :o
I was at the local botanical gardens this week. There was a big array of butterflies and bees. Maybe the big national floods and then the drought helped the species to revive?
Could they be finding their way to the few remaining flowering plants to mate and multiply again unchecked by the usual predators? I hope so. It's scary to think their numbers have been dwindling so much in recent years.
I guess some might think their prayers have been answered. I just hope Nature finds a way and scientists can nurture the process before Cantor defunds the effort to pay for hurricane relief.
Where are these guys going to go after they come out of the of the chrysalis stage? Will they fly down to Northern Mexico or some place else? Oops, looks like it going to be Mexico.
Rachel,
When are you coming home????? I can't stand it when you're away............
:-( Boo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!