by Catherine Johnson
While I was watering and checking milkweed at the Wildscape, I discovered for the first time, Monarch caterpillars.
So many creatures can kill them, and the fowl were roving (it is, after all, a chicken farm). I decided to take them home and raise them in my house. I have done much research on this topic and also took home milkweed stems.
They stayed in a covered container with damp paper towels in a warm bedroom. I have since received an enclosure and vials.
One baby from my house was added to three from the Wildscape.
One night the Wildscape Caterpillars formed J’s . Next morning, only one was alive and shaking. My baby was ok. I saw head parts in the paper towels and was relieved to see they had shed their skin for the last time and were now a green chrysalis. I left about 20 minutes and missed seeing the last one turn!
Baby is still going thru instars. Right before they emerge, I will space them out so they can spread their wings, dry and be released back to the Wildscape. We hope to release hundreds in the future.
Interesting fact: bigger caterpillars will eat babies emerging from eggs.
Nature Along the El Camino Real 