The caterpillars are growing – they’re in their second instar now. Caterpillars shed their skin when they grow too big for it – the stages between these molts are called instars. Continue reading
Category Archives: 2005
Journal for July 3, 2005
There are so many weeds that I didn’t know what to work on first. I pulled some of the Wild Parsnip out of the wetland, and finished pulling the St. John’s Wort and some of the Sweet Clover out of the upper prairies. It’s a lot of work! Continue reading
Cecropia eggs have hatched – June 29, 2005
I checked the eggs today, and they’re all hatching. The cage is full of tiny black caterpillars, about 1/4 inch long. Continue reading
Journal for June 28, 2005
We see fawns everywhere right now. Here’s one that came out to the driveway while I was looking at butterflies. Continue reading
Summer Butterflies – June 22, 2005
The heat really brought out the butterflies. There were still lots on the driveway, but some of the species changed since last week. Continue reading
Journal for June 22, 2005
It was too hot to do much hard work this week. Mike did some maintenance on the Powertrac and mowed the prairie by the house, Parsnip field and some of the trails. Continue reading
More Cecropia Adventures – June 21, 2005
All 6 of my remaining Cecropia moths hatched in the last few days. There was one male, and 5 females – I released the male and had lots of success attracting mates for the females. Continue reading
Early Summer Butterflies and Moths – June 14, 2005
Between the storms the sun came out and the butterflies appeared on the driveway. Continue reading
Journal for June 14, 2005
When we arrived there were 3 inches of rain in the rain gauge, and we got 2 more inches while we were there. We’re beginning to feel like we live in a rain forest. Continue reading
A Cecropia Hatched! June 14, 2005
Finally one of the cocoons hatched yesterday. It’s a female, so I’m keeping her for a few days hoping she’ll attract a mate. I’ll try to get some eggs before I release her. Continue reading