I went out after work to check on my kitten-pillars and I could only find four of them until this fifth one caught my eye. It was a little frustrating because the mosquitos were out in full force buzzing in my ears and trying to make a meal out of me so I might have overlooked someone.
They have eaten all of the leaves at the top of the milkweed and left all of the bottom two-thirds of the plant. Looking at the photos I wonder if it is because they are all full of poop, and I am wondering if I clear them off if they will be more appetizing. *shrug* I do not know as this is my first real time watching caterpillars.
I feel bad about the other four. Part of me wants to find out what happened to them, mostly to know if I can save the others (yes, I looked to see if they started to form their chrysalis). I should look to see if I can find another patch of milkweed just in case.
Come on, little caterpillar... go find your family!
ReplyDeleteMy human has never followed caterpillars through their development, so she finds this fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of Monarch info on the interwebs, and books at the library too! I attended a Monarch Butterfly class at the local library, arranged by the local Master Gardeners group. Maybe there is one near you with a phone # you could call?
ReplyDeleteAfter all these years of kitten wrangling, it must be second nature to look out for lost.... Anything!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blessing of nature!
ReplyDeleteThose are some hungry caterpillars.
ReplyDeleteOh so nice
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