Tag: stages of development of a butterfly

Caterpillar on milkweed to morph to Monarch Butterfly

Haiku: Hurry…Monarchs to Mexico or California

Published on by goldenbrodie4 Comments

Fall approaches fast
Hurry cat and make your wings
Ready for your trip

Haiku poem by PamelaWLucas 9/11/17

Inspirational photo by Tara McLaughlin, Charlottesville, VA 9/17

“The mystery of migrating monarch butterflies has captured the attention of people throughout the world. East of the continental divide in North America, monarchs generally migrate to central Mexico from as far away as Ontario, Canada. Monarchs west of the divide fly to the coast of California to spend the winter. They cluster together on tree limbs during the winter months in California by the thousands, and in Central Mexico by the millions.”

5 day Monarch caterpillar compared in size to a penny

Haiku: Infinitesimal

Published on by goldenbrodie1 Comment

5th day of living
A tiny eating machine
Eating to survive

Haiku by PamelaWLucas 8/1/17

Inspirational photo by Tara McLaughlin 7/17

Typical Lifespan:  “Most monarch butterflies do not live more than a few weeks. There are about 3 to 5 generations born each spring and summer and most of the offspring do not live beyond 5 weeks. The lone exception is the last generation born at the end of the summer.

The last generation of each year is the over-wintering generation that must make the journey back to Mexico. Rather than breeding immediately, the over-wintering monarchs fly back to Mexico and stay there until the following spring. In the early spring, they fly north to the southern United States and breed. Over-wintering monarch butterflies can live upwards of 8 months.”

Milkweed with cleome in the garden

Haiku: Hosting butterflies

Published on by goldenbrodie3 Comments

Each offers a home

Butterflies seek out their host

Plant and they will come

Haiku by PamelaWLucas 7/15/17

Inspiring photo by PamelaWLucas 7/15/17

Butterflies are particular and each has its own host plant preference.  Read up, plant accordingly and they will come.