Sunday, July 3, 2011

Monarchs

We raised a lot of Monarch caterpillars. Lost a few, but not many. Released at least 240 Monarch Butterflies, and 2 Queens.

This is what it looked like as the first few started to emerge on day 2..you can see at least 3 have emerged…the black ones are the ones that are ready.

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Here are what the Monarch Caterpillars look like…and a Queen

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They are somewhat similar…but the Queen is even prettier. It has an extra set of “feelers” in the forward portion of its body and as it matures they become a deep maroon. The milkweed is their larval plant also.

The darkest one is a Queen…from the underside it’s looks a lot like a Monarch but you can see the difference if you look closely.

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Our first emerging was only 14 butterflies. The next day was over 60.

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We moved the cage’s door to an open screen door and let them leave when they wanted to. Many spent a few minutes on the Buddleia plant then flew up into a tree. They don’t seem to need to feed the first day.

After they emerge they hang for a couple of hours to let their wings dry.

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We really enjoy watching the Monarchs.