Caterpillar -> Butterfly (super big post)

[kage no neko]

So... I was keeping some caterpillars. Well, I still am, there are still 3 caterpillars left. And now I have 5 cocoons left, I had 6... but then one just emerged. :3 So I figured I'd share way too many pictures. Just in case anyone wanted to see. (btw, they're black swallowtail butterflies)

The original 5:


Showing off their scent gland, which is supposed to scare away predators:


Upclose of the head:


Upclose of the butt (haha, sadface butt):


Getting ready to cocoon:


After it cocooned:


More caterpillars:


Fresh cocoon:


Tiny wiggly:


Big wiggly:


Another getting ready to cocoon:


Brand new cocoon:


What the cocoon looks like when it's not so freshly shed:


What I walked in to find today:


Other side:
 

[Celestial Fireflies]

cєℓєsтιαℓ ғιʀєғℓιєs:

That's very fascinating. 3nodding Is it hard to keep caterpillars?

And that butterfly is gorgeous, wow!  

[kage no neko]

I don't find it to be too hard. They eat a lot, but that's not too big of a problem. I have them in a critter carrier on a paper towel (makes for easy "litter" changes!) and they eat parsley. Which is where I found them, on our parsley plant. Which is huge, and we don't eat THAT much of it.

Just gotta make sure they have fresh leaves. They're not too fond of withered leaves.  

[weecest]

It Looks Beautiful.  

[CrissAngelLover12345]

Cool! Cute catterpillars! Beautiful butterfly! biggrin  

[Shanna66]

that must me so much fun to watch them grow