I started working on my butterfly garden this weekend, replenishing the host plants that died last winter. Butterflies and dragonflies love the heat, and I can attest to the fact that it is hot. Last week I went to the local garden center and picked out a few plants. The foundation plant is called a Butterfly Weed, a member of the milkweed family. It pretty much looks like a weed, but butterflies are drawn to it and typically lay their eggs on the leaves. The eggs hatch into caterpillars and the plant I chose already had 3 fat ones munching on the leaves. There was a young guy at the checkout counter, who pointed out the caterpillars and asked if I’d like to make another selection. I gave him a quick lesson on horticulture and metamorphosis, pointing out that the caterpillars are future Monarch Butterflies. He was fascinated! Well, maybe not, but he did learn something.
A future Monarch Butterfly
A baby caterpillar hatched from butterfly eggs
Which end is up?
The beginning and end product of metamorphosis
Thank you to: http://www.youtube.com/user/tessalia87 for her wonderful video
