The Last of the Monarch Butterflies

Summer has come to an end, and with that ending comes the start of school, winterizing projects, and, finally, some free time to pursue my writing.  This year, however, is a very special year since we're playing host to a very important guest.

A monarch butterfly cocoon.

You see 'Pudge' (as we named our caterpillar) came to us as an egg just about 4 weeks ago now, a little dot on the back of a milkweed leaf which we plucked and brought into the safety of our home.  While my son and I have been raising monarch caterpillars all summer long, watching this particular little creature hatch out and grow into the fattest larvae we'd ever seen, has been a special joy.  Pudge even developed a personality during he stay with us, since s/he would sulk for a bit whenever we changed the milkweed cuttings out for fresh ones (though, of course, s/he would go right back to eating after awhile). When the day came that Pudge decided it was time to find that all important spot at the top of the cage, we all watched carefully.  Transforming into a chrysallis is not a sure thing, after all - sometimes things go wrong, as we'd unhappily learned from studying other caterpillars during the summer.

This time, though, we needn't have worried.  The resulting cocoon is the biggest and prettiest to date.

The day is now upon us when Pudge is due to emerge in his or hers adult state, transformed by the miracle of metamorphasis into a beautiful butterfly.   Being mid-September, however,  my concerns for Pudge have taken a different turn.  It's been quite awhile since I've seen any monarchs flitting around our property, which probably means that they all have begun their great migration to Mexico.  And the weather here has been unseasonably cool, which casts a giant shadow on what might await Pudge in the future.
Still, the latest forecasts have been promising.  All we can do is wait and watch, and, when the day comes and Pudge (who'll be rechristened upon his emergence) is ready to take flight, set him or her free.  Who knows?  Maybe, just maybe, Pudge will be one of those fortunate Monarchs who complete their migratory journey - and his or hers offspring just may be among those who return to our property next spring to start the entire cycle over again.

 For more information on Monarch Caterpillars and Butterflies, click HERE.