Posts Tagged: rearing butterflies

Joy to the (Monarch) World

Oh, the joys of rearing monarch butterflies. Not for commercial purposes. For conservation purposes. For a couple of months now, we've been watching the monarch caterpillars slowly disappearing from our milkweed plants.  We'd see fifth instar 'cats...

Female monarch has just eclosed. Next to her is a gold-studded jade-green chrysalis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Female monarch has just eclosed. Next to her is a gold-studded jade-green chrysalis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Newly emerged female monarch. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Newly emerged female monarch. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Female monarch spreads her wings on a butterfly bush. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Female monarch spreads her wings on a butterfly bush. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Newly emerged male monarch spreads his wings. Note the black spots on the hind wings, distinguishing gender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Newly emerged male monarch spreads his wings. Note the black spots on the hind wings, distinguishing gender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Male monarch ready to be released. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Male monarch ready to be released. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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