20
|
SPRING
2015
GenerallyCliveandMary start findingeggs inmid to late Junebut becauseof the2014cold
winterandspring,nothingshowedupuntil July. Theywereveryconcernedsince theyearbefore
theyonlyhad11eggs,whichwasanall time low. The thoughtwas that thiswas thebeginning
of theend for themonarchpopulation inNorthAmerica.As it turnedout theyhadnocause for
worry… theycounted88monarchsasof thesecondweek inSeptemberand, theystillhad three
chrysieswaiting for thebutterflies toemerge.
☛
When the adult monarch first emerges from
the chrysalis its body is bloated with liquid
that it will push through veins in its wings
giving them strength to unfold and fly.
An adult monarch has
just emerged from its
chrysalis. The other
chrysalis behind it
turned from green to
transparent and will
soon split open to allow
the butterfly its freedom.
The caterpillar skin splits down its
back and the green chrysalis emerges.
The beautiful waxy greenmonarch chrysalis.
The zebra stripedmonarch
caterpillar at home on its
favourite dish…
themilkweed.
When the caterpillar is
ready to change to the
next stage, it attaches
itself upside down in the
shape of a J.
ESCARPMENT
®
FEATURE
|
LENDING A HAND
