Meet Frank. He's a monarch butterfly that my son and I raised. We don't actually know the insect's gender, but that hardly matters to a four-year-old.Butterfly gardener extraordinaire Connie Day gave us two caterpillars from her garden, which is a certified Monarch Waystation.
We reared them inside (mostly) on a milkweed plant, which provided all they required, except water drops. We placed the plant inside one of those netted cages you use to raise painted ladies.
Some articles I reported recently afforded me the opportunity to engage Brent "the bug guy" Karner of the LA County Natural History Museum in an extended conversation about butterflies. A portion of the discussion was broadcast last weekend on KPCC's Off-Ramp. Check it out.
That's a great photo. I think I'm going to plant some milkweed. Interesting conversation with Brent Karner too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I'm currently caring for an Asclepias fascicularis w/hopes of my yard becoming a unofficial waystation of sorts.Congrats on the KPCC off-ramp broadcast!
ReplyDelete