The netting I used to keep predators away from the caterpillars for a few days until some of them could grow large enough to pupate; not pretty, but functional
One of the big ones before I covered the fennel (my hand is behind the caterpillar to show scale; I'm not holding it because I try to handle them as little as possible)
Looking through the netting at two of the larger ones busy munching fennel
Three more through the netting; can you find them?
A big one who will be getting "sleepy" soon, but still has plenty of eating to do
One of the caterpillars "getting sleepy" (beginning to pupate)
A chrysalis formed by one of the four caterpillars I temporarily moved to a butterfly cage
On the fennel--empty chrysalis (brown) at top and one still waiting (green) at bottom
An empty chrysalis from the butterfly cage
Occupant of the empty chrysalis in the previous photo; one of "my babies" after having emerged from the chrysalis, its wings all pumped up and dry
Pester taking far too much interest in the butterfly
Moving the butterfly from Pester's reach
Brand new Black Swallowtail fluttering over the flowers; the fennel has seen better days
Wow! How fun is that!!! We used to do that with the Monarchs up north. It's so fun for the kids too!!
ReplyDeleteI used to grow butterflies like that when I was young. What a lovely series of photos and what spectacluar butterflies (and caterpillars!).
ReplyDeleteNeat! I saw the tinest butterfly in the garden yesterday but no camera. I saw a very big yellow and black butterfly while I was in North Carolina, but I like the way yours looks better!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this series of pictures. What an astounding process and transformation. Our Creator put so much care and detail in each individual living thing to point to His existence and that He be glorified. Praise Him for caterpillars and butterflies!!!
ReplyDeleteAren't they something!
ReplyDeleteThis whole process is just amazing. We used to do this (raise butterflies) when the kids were little and it was always a wonderful process to witness.
ReplyDeleteWow that is one gorgeous butterfly Melissa. I love the colours. I don't think we have anything resembling that over here in the UK. Love your sequence.
ReplyDeleteLovely butterflies. Pester must have thought you were tending them for him.
ReplyDeletevery nice photo;bravo
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful butterflies...love the shot of Pester with the black one, almost close enough to touch, huh? Wonderful to see your project with these butterflies, I know the flowers must be as pretty as the butterflies there. Great shots of the chrysalis, not many can get that close without harming them. Good for you! Smile today. :)
ReplyDeleteYAY! That is fantastic! Maybe I could grow to like those caterpillars.....
ReplyDelete