Monarch butterfly project 2015
I decided after finding Monarch eggs and caterpillars this weekend that I would start checking the milkweed growing in my backyard. Well, it seems that I've had visitors.
The milkweed has again taken over my yard, is coming up in the middle of my tomato garden, and apparently is even sent to shoot over into my neighbor's yard. So I have about 30 milkweed plants or so.
Today I started checking them for eggs, and found plenty. Today's count was 10 eggs in one newly hatched caterpillar. That brings the total, after some of the eggs that in the containment bucket hatched, to 6 caterpillars. The other day I had a total of nine eggs and two caterpillars, so three of those nine have hatched.
The biggest challenge at this point is hoping that the freshly hatched caterpillars can find milkweed that's fresh enough to provide a meal. I do everything in my power to keep the cut milkweed from wilting but it only lasts a few days. With luck, the fresh milkweed that I put in will provide them with a good meal.
I'm seriously considering creating a website this year to see if I can monetize my passion for butterflies.
Recent Comments
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I look forward to another butterfly season with you and following each stage of growth…. all the way to their migration! Love it! Will we see a giant butterfly formation over Texas via weather satellites again? Can't wait to see how the numbers compare with last Year. It is interesting and fun to watch. :)
I subscribe to the newsletter called the Monarch watch, they indicated that the populations increased significantly last year. The conditions are good in the Midwest for another bumper year.
Excellent Craig. I've been watching you at this with the butterflies for long enough to know you can start a butterfly academy. Very interesting and I too will look forward to what you do with it. Best wishes. :)
Joel
Now that sounds like a fun thing to do a butterfly Academy. I can just see myself trying to learn to speak butterfly. And teach them all about the cruel world. :)
Yeah, I'm also looking forward should you decide to start a campaign for your passion. So far I'm only seeing keywords that are looking for information about butterflies. I didn't look that much and maybe there's something there that you could work out.
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That sounds like a wonderful idea, I would love to learn more about butterflies from you.
Stay tuned.
I surely will :)