Monarch butterfly

For the past few years, the girls and I have been raising Monarch butterflies successfully.  We simply release the first three generations, and tag and release the fourth generation for their migration to Mexico.  The caterpillars we've found in late July are third generation caterpillars.  Over the last three days we've had 9 hatch, with three more in chrysalis stage and a couple more still in caterpillar stage munching on milkweed.  Three females emerged from their chrysalis this morning.  Unfortunately during the drying process, this little lady's top wing did not straighten and dry properly, and she is unable to fly.  After releasing the other two females, I transferred this one to our garden, where hopefully she will be able to survive the rest of her short 2-6 week life as a butterfly hidden among the flowers.  Good luck, little girl!

Oh, and the beetle was found on one of our sunflower plants.  Bugs are kind of creepy looking close up, aren't they?  Think I'll have to start saving up for a macro lens!  :)

Tag and Release

Today we bid a fond farewell to our Monarch friend as he begins his long journey to Mexico's warmer climate.  (Okay, and here is where I do have to insert that I was wrong, and that I was quite matter of factly corrected of this by my eldest daughter, who (correctly) stated, "you were wrong momma, he's a boy butterfly, not a girl butterfly.")  Yep, it was late last night, I was tired, the lights were on dim, and I was only looking at the wings from the backside, but she was right! :))

(The two black spots in the veins in the lower wings identify the males, along with thinner vein lines overall.)

Anyway, we tagged him and that information will be sent to Monarch Watch to be entered into their database.  Should anyone find him along the way, they can enter the data into their computer and see where he originated from.  We will then also be able to see where he was found too.  My chances of winning the lottery are probably slightly better than somebody finding him and entering the information, but there's always that chance, right?  You only need one ticket to win, and we only had the opportunity to tag one Monarch this season!

 Happy journeys!