Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Monarch Caterpillars

This monarch caterpillar is crawling on a milkweed leaf. Why do you think it has two sets of antennae?
Finding a monarch caterpillar is easy--if you know where to look. Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed. Not many people grow milkweed in their gardens, but you can find it on the edges of fields and meadows. If you find the milkweed, you can find a caterpillar.

Milkweed has big, sturdy leaves. Look for places where the leaves have been bitten. This is a good clue that monarch caterpillars might be nearby! The caterpillars crawl slowly and spend most of their time on just one milkweed plant. They don't have to run or hide. Nothing eats them. The milkweed that they eat makes them poisonous.

In September, the monarch caterpillars here in Pennsylvania are eating and eating and eating. The caterpillar in the picture formed a chrysalis the day after the picture was taken. Once it emerges from the chrysalis, the butterfly will join other monarchs on a flight to a warmer places for the winter.

7 comments:

  1. I already love catterpillers now I know more

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  2. how do catapillers walk with all those legs

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  3. Wow I never knew that milk weed was poisonous. Catippilers are amazing. I saw one in my front yard before.

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  4. Emily,
    Do you think Caterpillars have eyes? From the picture and real life i just can't figure it out i mean they have to see right? Thats how they find food and see where they are going.Thank you for your time. Sixth Grade Student.

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  5. Well hello again i am the sixth grade student S.C. that is my initals so you know who I am.
    I wanted to know if you know any more about how they walk? if you do know more,then please show,and ,tell!

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  6. Aproximatley, how long is a catepillar a caterpillar befroe it goes through metamorphisis? I think metamorphis is a fantastic topic to research! What is your favorite topic to research? Mine is the wars that have happened in the past!!!

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  7. Its S.C. again im wondring how do catipillers get out of the chryssallis? (if that is how you spell it)

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