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kayreAfter raising 4 Monarch caterpillars last year, and 5 so far this year, we were getting frustrated-- they always managed to do the exciting parts while we were asleep or gone.
A few hours ago I noticed that caterpillar #5, who had been hanging head down for more than a day, was quivering. I called the kidlet and we watched in amazement as he transformed from caterpillar to chrysalis in only 8 minutes!
Then I moved chrysalis #2 to where I could watch it constantly, and a few minutes ago it suddenly split open!
Pics of caterpillar to chrysalis here... they are, as![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dizzdvl said, "Ickgrosscool." Chrysalis to butterfly pics later, after we release the baby.
When I noticed the caterpillar quivering, I ran to get the kidlet; by the time we got back, we could see this green patch forming.
They eat their outer skin, beginning just below the head. They don't eat the black furry bits; they end up rolled into a little ball.
The change was incredibly fast-- 8 minutes from beginning to end!
The caterpillar was wriggling the whole time, so hard that I'm amazed the silk holds.
Done. Within an hour, the shape will smooth out; by tonight, the gold 'crown' line will form. After that, very little change for the next 10 days.
A few hours ago I noticed that caterpillar #5, who had been hanging head down for more than a day, was quivering. I called the kidlet and we watched in amazement as he transformed from caterpillar to chrysalis in only 8 minutes!
Then I moved chrysalis #2 to where I could watch it constantly, and a few minutes ago it suddenly split open!
Pics of caterpillar to chrysalis here... they are, as
dizzdvl said, "Ickgrosscool." Chrysalis to butterfly pics later, after we release the baby.When I noticed the caterpillar quivering, I ran to get the kidlet; by the time we got back, we could see this green patch forming.
They eat their outer skin, beginning just below the head. They don't eat the black furry bits; they end up rolled into a little ball.
The change was incredibly fast-- 8 minutes from beginning to end!
The caterpillar was wriggling the whole time, so hard that I'm amazed the silk holds.
Done. Within an hour, the shape will smooth out; by tonight, the gold 'crown' line will form. After that, very little change for the next 10 days.
