Date: 12/07/2009

Number: 1

Just an interesting observation about the caterpillars I have growing at present. Their growth is extremely slow. Being winter and much cooler than summer it seems their metabolism is greatly slowed down. It has been over a week since the chrysalis was formed. By now, in summer, the butterfly would have hatched. I have experienced them taking up to 7 weeks to hatch in the winter. At pressent I have 3 caterpillars and about 15 eggs around. The female that layed these eggs is no longer present as she disappeared when we had 2 days of rain and the temperatures dropped into the high 40's. Meanwhile, as eggs hatch and the larvae grow I am moving them on to my porch where it is more protected and safe.

Ormond Beach, FL

Latitude: 29.3 Longitude: -81.2

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