I went out into the fields and found 2 caterpillar eggs. Then I came home and found 2 more eggs on my milkweed. I watched them closely and when they started turning black I snipped of the leaf and brought it inside to my cage. All 4 eggs hatched but sadly one caterpillar died. I found him hanging by his thread a couple of times and then he must of fell.

Today I went out into another field that had lots of wildflowers. There were so many butterflies fluttering about sipping nectar. I was in awe of their gentle beauty. I'm going to return to the same field and get some video of the butterflies. Oh--I also found 3 eggs which I took to my school and will offer to my teacher colleagues for their classrooms.

Sadness and Disbelief

I can't believe that I HAD 14 caterpillars and now I have none!! I resisted the urge to bring them inside and a praying mantis ended up eating them all. This must be why butterflies have to lay so many eggs. I am really sad but know that this is how nature works. If all creatures lived our Earth would be overrun by them. I think that the caterpillars that are born early in the summer have the best chance at survival because the predator numbers are fewer. I'm going to go out and find a caterpillar to keep in my cage so I can end my summer on a happy note.

All Have Hathched!

All 14 eggs have hatched, but I've only found 7 caterpillars. There was a heavy rain storm and when I got home this evening the milkweed stalk was bent to the ground. I don't know if the other 7 caterpillars got washed away or I just haven't found them yet. If only 7 out of 14 caterpillars survived what is the percent?

Also--Milky left to find a quiet stable place to make a chrysalis. I looked all around but can't find him. I hope he is near so I can see him fly away.

Pattern

When I taught 2nd grade I had the students color a picture of a caterpillar making the pattern black, white, yellow. Great exercise in making a pattern but look closely at the picture of "Milky". He does have a pattern but it is not as simple as black, white, yellow.

Guard Cat

Our Cat Mao-Mao is guarding the milkweed for us. I am not sure what he would do to the predator. He never was very fierce. When he lived indoors he would come get us if he saw a spider so we could take care of it.

More Eggs

I went out to get the mail and just glanced at the milkweed and saw a new egg. After looking further I found 5 new eggs in all. The butterflies are busy today!

9 New Eggs!!!!!

9 New Eggs!!!!!

We were turning into our driveway when I saw a Monarch Butterfly flitter away from the milkweed. I had looked at the stalk before we went to lunch and there were no eggs on it. "Milky" our lone caterpillar that we brought home from the lake was munching his lunch. Well--to my great delight that butterfly laid 9 eggs!!!! Katie and I are so excited!