Lord of the Butterflies?

Another Monarch whizzed by through the bottom of the Swamp Milkweed plants late this afternoon. After waiting excitedly for that precious window of time between the bees pollinating during the day and the mosquitos attacking in the evening hours, I checked as many plants as I could.

No new eggs today.  Maybe SHE was a HE.

I am keeping an eye on the four eggs harvested two days ago.  When I bring in the eggs, I add them to a covered plastic container face down with the egg on the underside that has been layered with two sheets of dampened paper toweling. The lid is snapped closed except to add more leaves with eggs or a spritz of water to keep the dampness even. I keep them in the container until the egg cracks and the caterpillar works his way out and begins to eat his way to about 1/4 of an inch long. This is the first instar stage of the caterpillar of which there are five.

The first instar stage is the time where the caterpillar starts to become a little eating machine. Here is a fabulous up close and personal video by Autum Sasala Macro Photography where you see the tiny caterpillar break out of the egg.  Check out the fabulous macro photography on her page.

OK little Lady Monarchs. We are ready and waiting for you!

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