4th generation monarch butterfly

[BjornBee]

We have not seen more than one or two monarch butterflies this summer. The milkweed plants in our patch have been untouched.

But today, we found 6 nice caterpillars. These caterpillars in September are called 4th generation butterflies and the ones that will migrate to either Mexico or California. So the kids are excited to be hatching out these butterflies in a couple weeks and will send them on their journey.

If you have never hatched out Monarch butterflies, the kids or grandkids would be amazed to take part in the process.

[Scadsobees]

Cool!
We used to get lots of caterpillars on the milkweed, and see plenty of bflies laying on them, but lately no big 'pillars.  But the boys usually manage to find a few tiny tiny larvae and feed them till they hatch out.

I think that the ants and earwigs eat all of the baby caterpillars, and they only survive if we find them when they are just hatched out.

It is so easy and fun, watching them chrysalize (or whatever its called!), and then watching the chrysalis change color days before it hatches out.

I've noticed plenty of them migrating already for the last few weeks.  They got to go a long ways, and they don't go too fast either.

Rick

[BlueBee]

Yep, it’s real cool to watch the metamorphosis of the monarch. 

It’s amazing how worms can turn into cool things like butterflies, moths, and bees.

[bee-nuts]

If you want to learn more about this amazing insect here is a awesome documentary on PBS about their migration every year.  They are Truly an awesome creature.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/journey-butterflies.html