 [Amazon | B&N | Mysterious Galaxy] |
Clara’s ButterflyLast month, my daughter Clara came back from a trip up north with several monarch butterfly caterpillars, which she took care of. Each one went into a chrysalis, and all but one turned into butterflies. Today the last butterfly emerged, and I thought I’d share a picture. Why? Because it’s a neat picture from my daughter doing something cool, that’s why
This one emerged after the others, which have already been released. We’ll probably give her a day or so to get used to the wings, then turn her loose. 6 comments to Clara’s Butterfly |
|
|
Copyright © 2012 Jim C. Hines - All Rights Reserved |
||
What a wonderful experience. My son would be envious!
If he wants, there are kits that work pretty well. That’s how Clara got started. We ordered the habitat, food, and caterpillars a few years back.
A few years back there were swarms of these things fluttering across the parking lot where I waste my life (I mean WORK, oops!), they were countless. It became difficult to drive without accidentally coating the windshield with them. A stirring sight, though. Hasn’t happened since.
I believe they do actually need a day or so after emerging from the pupa, the wings have to dry before they can use them properly.
Very cool! Great pic too - the wings are so vibrant!
For those of you with outdoor herb gardens, the wild butterfly caterpillars like to hang around and eat dill and parsley plants. At least they do here in Vermont. Check your tomatoes, too. Be careful not to confuse them with the tomato hookworm caterpillar though. One is nasty, the other isn’t. We live along a butterfly migration path and our yellow mums are a well-visited stop each autumn on their way south for the winter.
That IS cool!