Our friends have been raising monarchs and we have been very lucky to be able to share in some of that process. I know of a lot of people who have done this before, but this is our first time in seeing it.
Here are the caterpillars eating the milkweed.
The caterpillar stage lasts about two weeks. During the Crysalis stage the caterpillar hangs upside down in the shape of a 'J', and then I read that it 'molts'...that is the craziest thing...the caterpillar shed it's outer black skin and is encased with a green shell (for lack of better word). Here are a few different stages...some are beginning to for the 'J', others are in the Crysalis and then there are the Monarchs that have transformed. It is an amazing process!! Taking no longer than three weeks for the full change.
It was also very exciting to be able to release the Monarchs...although Kaden did not like them getting to close to his face.
Kaden and his friend Sarai...with Monarchs on their head
Beautiful!
