Caterpillars to Chrysalis

[Sycamore67]

This is an update to my Monarch post.  We have now captured 16 caterpillars and they are busy munching on Milkweed.  They are truly the hungry, hungry caterpillars.

When they reach full size, they attach themselves to a high place with a fine silk that you can see in the first picture. They hang in a "J" and transform from a caterpillar to a chrysalis.

I carefully peel the chrys off and attach them using thread to a stick in a cage.  They are green to start with but eventually they turn dark and somewhat transparent.  You can see the butterfly wing thru the chrysalis at this point. They will emerge very shortly after this.

I am certain that some will ask why I remove them from outside.  The reason is that maybe 10% survive outside.  If I raise them inside, more than 95% make it to butterflies.

[jerry walters]

Very cool

Jerry