the change! The last of the 3 monarch cats waited for me to do his thing - very neat. The first did about 8pm last night but I missed most of it, then this morning around 6am, I noticed his(her?) antennas were wilted, so I sat down to watch the show. This is my first try, hope all goes well.
How wonderful is that! Glad you got to watch and share it with us in pictures.
Awesome Debilu. I have watched five GF's trying to catch them do their thing. I have seen a bunch of writhing around and caught one in about the same phase as you have in your pic. But they do take their time. I watched one for over two hours and the whole time he just wriggled around a lot. I wanted to see him squeeze out of his furry stuff or whatever they do to get rid of it but missed that again. Next morning the guy was all packed up so to speak. Now I don't even try to watch (which is probably how I will actually see it happen). Then of course I would love to see one come out of its chrysalid but I think I have zippo chance of seeing that. But that is okay, as long as they come out alright and are healthy and happy that is all that matters. So lucky you, what an exciting thing to get to see.
Leslie
this was awesome and I think I'm really lucky
I saw the threads, ordered a BF cage from live monarch, and started planning for milkweed next year and to be able to do this next year.
Then Monday driving by a field of milkweed, I stopped and shopped. Picked up 3 cats and a fews stems of MW.
Came home from work Wed night, they were at the top of the cage
Thurs they did their j's
I sat in front of them most of Thurs, waiting.
right next to them, laptop in hand, probably on DG, I turned and looked and the first one was just about done - all green already! I missed it. So I sat for another 3 hrs- nothing.
Friday morning before work (I have thurs off), the second one is in chrysalis (I need to learn the terminology) but the third I noticed his antennae wilted, so within 30 minutes I watched the transformation. Very awesome.
Day #9 will be Sept 1st, having a "sister day" - will my luck continue so they can see one eclose? Or at least be dark and nearing time? hope all goes well
Super nice debilu!! I'm so glad you got to see it all! Good move getting live monarch cages, they are just the thing!
Way to go!
:-S
I got up at 6am today to 2 monarchs eclosed, and watched the third. What an awesome sight. I really feel lucky to have watched all I did, as this is my first experience. Thanks to everyone here!!
Debilu! Isn't it wonderful? I am so glad you picked up on us and the things going on in your garden in time to see that. Butterflies are an excellent influence on us humans!
I will no doubt grow old with them learning about change. That is, if I ever get old, lol.
:-) Debnes
That is super, excited for you Debilu!! I had a Queen eclose today, but had to leave for work. I hope to be home in the morning in time to see the second. Good pictures!
thanks debnes and Sheila.
Another Sheila I work with does this (she told me after she saw some pics of the cats I hung up on my desk) she told me when you see the top part of the chrysalis "stretch" they would eclose soon. If I hadn't noticed that I would have missed it. It took about 30 minutes after I noticed that for her to emerge, but I waited close by.
I meet with my boss every Friday am, and thought I might have to call her to reschedule my meeting because of my butterflies! I made it to the meeting though. hehehe!
I moved my second Queen in this room where I can watch this morning. ;-)
oh I hope you can see it all - I recorded a video clip of the monarch both morphing to its chrysalis and eclosing. The same one too - early morning like clockwork, 2 weeks apart.
It's not the best focused video though - I was paying more attention to her than the camera.
Well we had our sister day on Saturday, so released a monarch for the occasion. My sisters were in awe. I was happy the monarchs were willing to eclose at just the right time! Not planned at all, just lucky - I only had 3 cats, all female. Their color looks so dark and vibrant. Does it fade with time and sun? Here's my sister Mary. This BF stayed and said hi for a minute then was off, the other 2 were gone in a flash.
looking through my pics this one shows the stretch in the cap of the chrysalis that Sheila told me about, and she emerged shortly after
That is a wonderful picture! Bet she will remember that moment! I love the chrysalis too, you need to put that one on bug files, I didn't see one that shows the transparency before.
I just posted on the bug file
That's great that they emerged for your sisters!
