What will these caterpillars become?
- jenniferstallings0
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
The caterpillars above are Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillars. The butterflies lay eggs on parsley plants, and the caterpillars enjoy the treat. We were lucky enough to find 10 caterpillars on this one Italian parsley plant. The caterpillars are currently eating, but soon will move away and find the perfect place to create a chrysalis and transform into a butterfly in about 14 days. As the weather cools, some of these chrysalis will not hatch until it warms in the spring.
We found a Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar on the Jump-A-Roo. We helped the caterpillar move into the enclosure on the Primary porch. It formed a chrysalis that is brown and resembles a stick.
We have collected several moth caterpillars. We found an Imperial Moth caterpillar, several Oak Tree Moth caterpillars, one Pink-Spotted Hawk Moth caterpillar, and one Tomato Hornworm Caterpillar. The majority of the moth caterpillars buried themselves in the dirt pots we have provided. The Imperial Moth caterpillar has formed a cocoon out of silk at the top of the enclosure. It was initially white and has now developed an orangish color. We will wait for the moth caterpillars to transform over the winter months, and hopefully they will hatch in the spring. Here are a few pictures of our caterpillars and some images that demonstrate what we are waiting for!
Here are some pictures of the caterpillars and the butterflies or moths that we have collected and are waiting to see.
Students find a White Ermine Moth.
They were able to hold it and touch it with one finger.
This photo shows the beautifully striped thorax of the moth.
Imperial Moth eggs, caterpillar, and female moth.
The moth caterpillars will transform into adult moths during the winter.
We will post when they hatch in the spring.
Comments