|
|
|
|
Butterflies are glorious creatures. Monarch butterflies migrate yearly from Mexico to all areas of the US. Incredibly, many make it all the way to Kalamazoo. They lay eggs, those caterpillars transform to butterflies, and hopefully, some make it back to begin the cycle again.
Most gardeners know that Monarch butterflies lay their eggs only on Milkweed plants. I added Milkweed to my gardens a few years ago. Fun fact: Milkweed, once you have it in your garden, will always be in your garden. It has a deep taproot that in my garden has traveled as much as eight feet in a year. So plant wisely. Another fact: only about 5% of eggs make it to a butterfly. The eggs and the small caterpillars can be tasty snacks for larger bugs.
Recently, I have seen many Monarchs visiting my gardens. Then I spotted a large caterpillar. They are quite obvious with their black, white and yellow stripes. After doing some research, I constructed an enclosure to house a caterpillar. You need to change out the plants regularly. So out in the garden I went and collected new cuttings. Then I noticed 3 tiny caterpillars – less than ¼” long – on the leaves.
Currently, I have 12 in chrysalis as well as a large enclosure where 3 more are eating and pooping regularly.
It is fascinating watching them eat and grow, and hopefully, I will be able to release many new Monarchs to continue their journey.
In a surprise to me today, when I returned from watering in Bronson Park, one Monarch had emerged from a chrysalis!
|
|
|
|
Egg on milkweed
|
|
|
5 different sized caterpillars
|
|
|
|
Caterpillars eating milkweed inside enclosure
|
|
|
Green chrysalises inside a separate enclosure
|
|
For all things, there is a cycle and our season will be winding down beginning later this month. We're recruiting volunteers to help with various plant pulling activities. More details and a volunteer sign up are here.
Our season starts to take shape again starting with our annual Pumpkin Soiree fundraiser on November 7 at 6 pm. Attend the event to help us keep blooming!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
