And Then There Were Two 8/16/15

More Releases

        Yesterday I was gone all day and just before I left I had a chrysalis that looked like it was ready to eclose. I watched it all morning in hopes I would see it, but no luck.

        Later, while I was out, my mom texted me to say that I had a butterfly. Another female! And a little later she said she had already been released. At first I was upset that I wasn't there to see her off, but who can be upset about a successful release?

My mom snapped this picture before she was released.

        Then again this morning, there was a brand new butterfly waiting for me when I awoke. What do you know, a female! She was all set to go early this afternoon and flew away happy and healthy.

        My caterpillars had their house cleaned today, as many of the plants were wilted and yellowing and the oldest caterpillar crawled up to make a silk button. This means that only two remain eating. It makes me so sad, but at the same time I am eager to see all sixteen of them fly away safely so I can raise their kin next year! My two little guys/gals that remain are friends I think, they eat together, rest together, even shed to the next instar together. Last night I couldn't resist snapping an adorable photo before I went to bed.

Aren't they the best?!

        My hope is that they are the same age so when the time comes, they can be released together as well. For now they are just hangin' out and sharin' leaves.

        The other isn't quite in their "J" yet, so maybe they'll let me watch him go into his pupa tomorrow.

        Not much else to say, hopefully I'll be able to post more butterfly pictures and this caterpillar's new chrysalis. Until next time :)