Two larvae from the Monarch Butterfly Hatchery in my backyard.
My husband Barry was explaining to me how the lowly milkweed plant is genuinely a more magnificent gift than most gardeners would think. The reason – Monarch Butterflies are drawn to the plant as a perfect nursery for their eggs. The eggs hatch into the beautiful larvae shown in my photo. The worms, fully grown, attach themselves to a leaf where they will transform into a cocoon which is called a chrysalis. After ten days the regal Monarch will emerge and fly away.
Having finished telling me the story Barry pulled the car into a gas station on the highway. To my amazement, I saw a field of milkweed plants! Barry dug one up for me, and when we got home, he planted it. My milkweed has spread out into the lawn and Barry, unwilling to mow them down has taken to mowing around them!
From seed to larvae to chrysalis to butterfly. What a glorious and fantastic life!
© Zora Zebic 2016
I agree, Zora. I remember learning about this glorious transformation at school. Many of the Butterflies we have in the UK are glorious colours.
Thank you for participating in my weekly photo challenge.