After wiggling out of its old skin, the caterpillar then rubs off its FACE MASK. Even the face mask has become too small. The most amazing part is when the caterpillar turns around and EATS its own skin. Just like the eggshell that it ate for breakfast, the old skin is filled with vitamins to help our caterpillar grow big and strong. Kids love to collect the skins and face masks as the caterpillars grows. You can easily tape them onto a piece of paper for your science collection. Show all your friends! PHOTOS: Lydia Bartram (both photos above) PHOTO: Felice Strauss PHOTO: Feli ..read more

Caught on camera! A Monarch larvae turning to attach itself securely to its silk button. Be sure not to disturb the monarchs when they are preparing to molt to the pupal, or chrysalis, stage. Just before they pupate, monarch larvae will spin a small silk button, or pad. The larvae will then hang upside down from this pad by their last pair of prolegs, assuming the J-shaped position of the prepupa. The silk comes from the spinneret on the bottom of the head. As it sheds its skin for the last time, the caterpillar stabs a stem into the silk pad to hang. This stem extends from its rear end ..read more

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The process begins by soaking the milkweed seeds in water on paper towels. Keep them moist every day and cover with plastic wrap. An alternative starter mix is PERLITE, obtained from nurseries as shown here – this can create a mini-greenhouse effect as the seeds bask in the afternoon sun for about a week. Perlite is a gentle medium that allows the 2-inch baby seedling ..read more

This Facebook Group was created for those in need of milkweed LEAVES to feed their monarch caterpillars, and those with extra milkweed willing to donate to those who have short supply. The Milkweed Hotline concept was first developed within the Facebook Group, TheBeautifulMonarch. All transactions are between the parties involved only, Milkweed Hotline is simply the creator of the group for people to find each other. MilkweedHotline The post Milkweed Hotline appeared first on Monarch Butterfly USA ..read more

An absolutely amazing “must-do” experience – a tour with “Experience Mex-ECO Tours.” For more information about the tours, visit https://mex-ecotours.com The post Millions of Monarchs in Mexico appeared first on Monarch Butterfly USA ..read more

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PHOTO: Jennifer Carey The post Photo of the Day appeared first on Monarch Butterfly USA ..read more

PHOTO: Jasmine Keefe The post Photo of the Day appeared first on Monarch Butterfly USA ..read more

PHOTO: Jasmine Keefe The post Photo of the Day appeared first on Monarch Butterfly USA ..read more