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Common Milkweed (Ascelpias syriaca) with Monarch emerging from chrysalis; jade chrysalis (upper left); caterpillar frass on leaves.
Caterpillar on Common Milkweed (Ascelpias syriaca) after rainstorm.
Caterpillar in "J" stage after rainstorm.
A male Monarch Butterfly about to take his first flight! Note the two spots on the hind wings. They are actually scent releasing pouches which help the male attract females for mating. Female Monarchs do not have these spots on their hind wings. Holland Township, NJ -August 2006
Released Monarch on Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea).
Caterpillar munching away.
Fifth instar caterpillar takes a rest after munching.
Soon to emerge butterfly.
Newly emerged Monarch in Preserved Open Space field drying its wings.
Chrysalis in the wild.
"J" Caterpillar.
"J" Caterpillar. Note limp antenna, indicating almost ready to split skin and do the Pupa Dance.
The pupa sheds it skin. Note wing, head and antenna features on the emerging pupa.
Monarch emerging head first, after pushing open "trap door" on chrysalis with its feet.
Monarch tumbles out and hangs on with feet. Note the split proboscis.
New emerged butterfly drying its wings.
Two day old Monarch egg on Common Milkweed (Ascelpias syriaca).
Three day old Monarch caterpillar.
Aliya Murphy Munoz (center) of Somerset, NJ helps to show Monarch caterpillars at The Stony Brook Watershed ButterflyFest - September 2007.
Liam Thompson shows off his Spiderman face painting, done by Loretta Shigo of Monarch Journey. Peace Fair at Buckingham Friends School, Lahaska, PA - September 2007
Festival goers check out the Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Stony Brook Millstone, NJ Watershed Butterfly Festival - September 2007
Getting a closer look at a Monarch butterfly caterpillar. Stony Brook-Millstone NJ Watershed, Butterfly Festival - September 2007
Everyone wants to see the caterpillars. Stony Brook Millstone NJ Watershed - Butterfly Festival - September 2007
Wow... can those little caterpillars eat !! Stony Brook Millstone, NJ Watershed Butterfly Festival - September 2007
Loretta Shigo about to demonstrate how to make pipe cleaner caterpillars that will not eat alot! Stony Brook-Millstone NJ Watershed, Butterfly Festival - September 2007
Mural that was painted by Peace Fair festival attendees adults and kids alike !! Buckingham Friends School - September 2007
Sandi Wurst and her daughter, Siena Sky, stopped in to buy some hay to make scarecrows with and met Loretta Shigo of Monarch Journey, (not shown), Arlene Soffia and Susan Pierson. They arrived just as a butterfly release was happening ! How lucky can you get !! October 2007
Arlene Soffian and Susan Pierson cradle a female Monarch Butterfly before it takes it first flight to join the migration of millions of other butterflies that migrate to over-wintering grounds in Mexico.
Loretta Shigo, (wearing the cool caterpillar T-shirt) and Susan Pierson, prepare to release two adult Monarch Butterflies. Doylestown, PA - October, 2007
Aliya Murphy Munoz, age 6, of Somerset, NJ in pursuit of butterflies to observe in a park nearby her home. Somerset, NJ -June 2007
Here is what one person did to help protect a patch of milkweed growing near the road by his house. I found some Monarch caterpillars and other insects happily munching away ! - September - 2006
An empty chrysalis attached to the underside of one of the leaves of the milkweed plant.
Look at the difference in size. The little caterpillar in the background is in its second instar, or stage of growth while the larger one is in its fifth instar.
Closeup of the Milkweed pod spilling its seeds. The brown seed is attached to the fluffy white down which will fly easily on the wind. Somewhere in New Jersey. October 2006
Milkweed in a Preserved Open Space field in Somerset County, NJ. It is now Autmn and the Monarch Butterflies have migrated, leaving behind the Milkweed which has produced seeds that will fly away on the wind and maybe start a new milkweed plant somewhere. October 2007
Milkweed is a host plant for the Monarch butterfly larva, as well for many other insects.
Aliya Murphy Munoz, of Somerset, NJ looks on as a "J" cat gets ready to do the 'Pupa Dance". You might see alot of Aliya around the Monarch Journey website because she helped gather caterpillars and milkweed. Also, she helped keep the rearing containers clean, dry and well stocked with fresh milkweed for all the caterpillars.
A Mantid waits motionless on a milkweed plant for an unsuspecting meal to crawl or flutter its way. September 2007
Grasshoppers find each other amidst the milkweed and mate.
Aliya, my Monarch Journey assistant and her friend, find a Monarch that has eclosed and is drying its wings in the warm and sunny field. September 2007
Aliya, my Monarch Journey assistant and her friend, search the field looking for Monarch caterpillars and butterflies. September 2007
Another caterpillar, called Yellow Bear, was found on a milkweed plant during one of my field trips. Not sure if this one uses milkweed as a host plant, or just happened to wander up and stretch out for a sun bath. August 2006
Aliya, my Monarch Journey assistant, keeps both eyes on the "J" cat and the chrysalis next to it. August 2006
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