Date: 08/23/2018

Number: 100

Our household single-handedly raised more than 100 butterflies from egg to adult since the first migrants arrived in early June. We collected the eggs from our vegetable garden turned milkweed plot on a daily basis, freshening the food supply at the same time. The caterpillars were raised indoors until they were in their 5th instar. At that point the "fatties" were transferred to a protected container on an open air porch. From there the caterpillars could wander and choose a place to become a chrysalis. We were honored and delighted to witness the change of the caterpillar to chrysalis exhibiting the wildly flexing "hula" twist dance to liberate the new form from the old skin. It was fascinating to watch the emergence of baby butterflies from the protective casings in which they transformed, expanding and drying for first flight a few hours from "birth" (saving all of the casing for a later more accurate count).


Today there are 6 chrysalis waiting to hatch and fly with one tiny 2nd instar inside on freshly sprouted milkweed. We don't know if our late-bloomer will become a flyer before it freezes but it is worth it to give every possible Monarch a chance.

Bayfield, WI

Latitude: 46.8 Longitude: -90.8

Observed by: Kathleen
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