I have very fond memories of raising monarch butterflies, as a kid.
We had a whole patch of milkweed down in one spot on our Idaho farm, and there were always caterpillars to be found. My mom would help us get them all set up in a jar, with holes punched in the lid. We put fresh leaves in every day, and watched with delight as they eventually formed their chrysalis'. When they emerged, it was magical!
We would let them sit on our fingers, and "teach them" how to fly, by slowly moving our fingers up and down, as their wings dried.
By the way, Carolyn, over at This Grandmother's Garden, has recently posted some beautiful pictures showing this whole process.
So when my kids wanted a caterpillar for a pet, I had an idea where to go. No, we don't have any milkweed, unfortunately. We decided to head out to the broccoli patch.
Judging by the number of cabbage whites flying around, I was fairly certain we would be able to find a couple of candidates.
Sure enough, we found two: one big, one little.
They named the big one Jack and the little one Annie.
We got them all set up in their new home in a jar, much to the kids' delight.
Well, Annie didn't make it.
But Jack thrived and eventually made a tiny chryalis that stuck right onto the glass!
We were all impressed by that.
After about a week or so, my oldest came running out of his bedroom one morning, saying that there was a butterfly in the jar!
"Wow! Awesome!" he said.
Jack had emerged and was flapping around.
We knew we needed to get him outside to some nectar soon.
Butterfly on right.
Two attempts to get a picture of Butterfly Jack inside the jar were only marginally successful, as you can see.
Butterfly on left, broccoli leaf on right.
We took Jack outside and opened the lid.
Off he fluttered above our heads and away out of sight.
So long, Jack!
May you enjoy what's left of the broccoli patch.
