Every year we order caterpillars, but I forgot this year:( It slipped my mind and I just forgot. It is always such a wonderful experience to watch the caterpillars grow and turn into a butterfly! The girls love it and it really is such a magical experience!
We were on our way to run some errands the other day when Audrey hollered, “Look Mommy! A big worm climbing up the house!” Well, upon closer inspection it turned out to be a big, fat caterpillar who was climbing to higher ground to make his chrysalis!
Well we scooped him up and put him in our butterfly garden kit from last year. The very next day he made his chrysalis! Come to find out, our front yard is swarming with big fat caterpillars! We have already found 4 of them!!
Keep your eyes open for those caterpillars:)
Update: Thanks to the first person who left a comment under this post, I did a bit of research: Is is a butterfly or the terrible gypsy moth? Good news: we have 4 Morning Cloak Butterflies! That was quite a scare though! I sure know more about the difference after my research:)
I'm not sure, because I can't see them very well. . . But beware. . . Your cute little caterpillar could be a pest. It sort of looks like a gypsy moth caterpillar….and if it is you'll want to find a way to dispose of it without alarming your girls. They destroy trees, plants, flowers, and your gardens. It might be worth it for youth do something research on them.
Patty
2ndinline.blogspot.com
Prutenba@sturgisps
Patty,
Thanks so much for the warning! I just had a 45 minute internet research in fear that we had the gyspy moth! Good news….it is a morning cloak butterfly! That was quite a scare and now I feel so much more informed! Thanks again, Patty!
whew! I'm so glad I was wrong. When I first saw these on my trees, I thought "OOOHHH AAAHHHH! a pretty caterpillar!" But then I saw the damage they did and I began smushing them when ever I saw them. Glad you and I learned something new this morning! Thanks for following my blog. I hope you can find some things that help you with your girls.
Patty
That's awesome!!!! 🙂
You saved money, too! Love it!!!
A Teeny Tiny Teacher
Hi Annie:
I just downloaded your Balanced Blogger form from a while back. It's exactly what I needed today!
Thanks, BlogFriend!
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
Thanks for sharing that Kim! That made me super happy:)
Glad it turned out to be a butterfly! Can't wait to see the pictures later!
Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
Glad you have 4 butterflies in the making! I'm sure the girls are having a good time following the progress. Keep the pictures coming! Renee
I was just wondering… where do you normally get your caterpillars from?