Over a year ago I ordered seeds for
milkweed since I heard there was a shortage
of it. I had never seen it in a garden shop
but apparently they do have it,
as I bought some more this year.
Then I waited. I wondered why I didn't see
a bunch of Monarchs flying around my garden.
I know that I had heard they are
endangered due to habitat being depleted.
Then I saw a page on FB for SE Michigan Monarchs
and I joined the group. I saw everyone
posting about eggs they found on their milkweed.
So I thought I'd go take a look and....
And what did I find.... tiny white eggs the size of the head of
a pin on a few leaves. So the Monarchs were there. I just
had not seen them. I put the eggs in a container and
waited and these tiny guys hatched. ~not sure
if that's the right term, but you get the idea.
How amazing that the eggs are put just
on the exact and only leaf that they must eat
to survive. They then emerge
and begin eating and growing.
As they grew larger I moved them
out of their plastic food container
in which I had poked tiny air holes.
The one with the red lid to the left.
into to my
son's old frog habitat
Their container has to be cleaned often.
Since they eat a lot ....they poop a lot.
So why might you ask am I bringing them inside.
Well as you can see by their size...
they would make a delicious bird meal.
By bringing them in we are kind of helping
to give them a helping hand in
the hopes of increasing the population.
As they get bigger I am super excited...
like a kid! I am hopeful that
I will get to see transformations.
I have also learned caterpillars facts.
For instance caterpillars that
transform this late in the summer will
most likely take part in the big migration
from Michigan to Mexico.
I have 6 caterpillars in different stages
Fingers crossed all goes well
and all develop healthy and I can
release them to head out to Mexico.
I have learned that apparently
like anything they can get diseases & die.
Two have gone up to the top to start their transformation
Good luck guys!
~Natascha~
