Metamorphosis of Monarchs and Swallowtails from 2014

I hope you can visit my blog and scroll through last summer's memories of metamorphosis.

http://caroldukeflowers.com/metamorphosis-of-butterflies-from-2014/

Flower Hill Farm Butterflies of 2012 ~ Monarchs

The Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus, is perhaps one of the most widely known and beloved butterflies. We know that climate change, threats to the fragile overwintering sites, pesticides and loss of essential host plants, Milkweed, is causing concern for the survival of these amazing navigators. Yet Monarch butterflies have survived for millions of years and somehow I must believe they will adapt to our environmental disasters and continue to do so. It is too heartbreaking to imagine otherwise.

Female Monarch butterflies have now flown from their over wintering sites in Mexico towards Texas fastening their eggs to Milkweed plants and then dying . . . passing the torch, as it were, to their offspring to continue further north and east until the fourth or fifth generation of the Monarchs, who took flight from Flower Hill Farm last fall, will arrive here to begin the Monarch butterfly metamorphosis anew. 

I have been so blessed for over thirty years by being able to share parts of the summer months with these remarkable butterflies. I cannot imagine life without this renewal . . . observing a unique transformation close up. Inspirational and joyous moments abound through the discovery of a small creature's struggle to grow, change and then take off on a momentous journey.

It is remarkable to consider that the intelligence, consciousness or genetic code is already set within this tiny form that will one day transform into another form supporting wings and then take flight to faraway lands. 

The cream colored Monarch caterpillar chomps through its clear, finely-etched egg casing and gobbles it up for its first nutritious meal. It will continue to munch milkweed leaves, flowers and stems growing and shedding its tight skin four times, not to waste a good meal the Monarch caterpillar will eat each pile of molted skin then pick up munching milkweed again . . . growing more until the fifth time when it unveils the chrysalis it has been creating inside the later clear black striped caterpillar skin. The yellow and white colors are the caterpillar body inside the skin.

A part of the butterfly that it will become is already tucked inside the little Monarch caterpillar and it will nurture that part of itself during the two weeks it munches milkweed, sheds its skin and becomes bigger and bigger till suddenly it feels the urge to weave a silk node and let go of its caterpillar self. 

Note the small silk ball or node the Monarch caterpillar carefully weaves and forms from the thin silk threads it pulls out of its spinneret. This is an important creation for the caterpillar, for its very life depends on its strength to hold the caterpillar, while it pulls up its skin to reveal its jade green chrysalis hidden inside of the black, yellow and white striped caterpillar. 

The Monarch caterpillar has also been building a 'cremaster' or pole just about where its hind feet are now. The 'cremaster' has hundreds of tiny hooks to hold fast to the silk button it is creating. This important part of the chrysalis will pull out from under the pile of skin to find the essential silk node and latch onto it, then thrashes around to be sure its hold is secure. 

One day a Monarch caterpillar whispered to me . . . 

"Please raise me with dignity . . . give me space and fresh air as I find out in the garden and fields . . . do not toss me into a box or jar or fish tank with dozens of others of my kind. You will never really get to know me that way. I may get sick and die from overcrowding. I play a very vital role in the making of what I become . . .  thank you for honoring that and my journey as a caterpillar." 

And now the curtain is about to rise! What do we see? A caterpillar or chrysalis? 

The caterpillar trachea is no longer needed so it lifts off with the old skin. The shape of the caterpillar is not quite gone yet. The chrysalis will shrink and a clear casing will harden enclosing and protecting the reshaping life.

A Monarch butterfly template is revealed within the forming chrysalis.

Tiny jewels hang for about two weeks while the Monarch metamorphosis takes place.

When it is time, a fresh new butterfly flips out of its protective chrysalis casing. The butterfly abdomen is bloated being filled with the fluids that will blow up the wings. Once they are fully blown out the butterfly hangs to dry like a fine dress on a clothesline . . . this can be a dangerous time for a butterfly. It must hold on tight and not fall or it will surely die.

When the Monarch butterfly's wings are dry and the butterfly is familiar with its new body and has discovered how all the parts work, it will begin pumping its wings preparing to fly.

Releasing Monarch butterflies is especially thrilling. 

Whispering 'Best of Luck!' We watch in amazement and joy as each butterfly takes its first flight.

For weeks during late summer enchantment fills our days.

The native plants and others in the fall gardens are more alive with Monarch butterflies readying for their long voyage to Mexico. Native Ironweed and Rudbeckia are particular favorites. Buddleia (below) or butterfly bush can become invasive in warmer climates. Here in my climate of today I can barely keep one alive. A Painted Lady sips nearby a newly released Monarch butterfly.

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is a magnet for the Monarchs. 

The wild asters in 2011 were covered with Monarchs where Autumn Joy was the main attraction in September 2012. 

Whenever I share my favorite images of Monarchs of previous years, it seems like a celebration of incredible joy . . . of life and infinite possibilities for change.

We can all help these beautiful butterflies and others by never using poisons and by calling congress and the EPA demanding an end to the use of harmful chemicals that kill insects good and 'bad' and cause cancer and other diseases within human organs. We can also plant milkweed that is native to our areas to guarantee the monarchs will always have host plants.

Many are already seeing Monarch butterflies returning to their gardens and fields. I did have my first sighting in May of last year but did not find caterpillars until July.

I have one more butterfly post featuring butterflies from 2012 . . . it's a grand finale . . .  just in time, for the gardens are beginning to pop, birds are returning and I am excited to give a spring walkabout.

Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle: A Metamorphosis ~ Part Four ~ Lift Off Towards Migration

Releasing Monarch butterflies is one of the greatest joys in the process of raising these beautiful fragile creatures. 

My Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle: A Metamorphosis . . .  continues with seeing the adult butterflies safely introduced into their environment and towards the first leg of their extraordinary migration.

When last we met . . . the Monarchs had mandibles for munching, six true legs and five pairs of prolegs for getting around and were cleverly composing a chrysalis within their striped skin. 

Then their exquisitely crafted chrysalises were revealed and hung by their cremaster for about two weeks 

(with exception to two chrysalises that are still hanging on in green in a bouquet by the window after four weeks.) 

It was a thrill to finally see the butterflies forming inside their clear casings. 

Finally, observing the tiny winged butterflies emerge from their chrysalises and hanging on, while their wings are pumped up and dried . . .  creates awe while stimulating the imagination and a keen sense of wonder at the marvels of nature.

Then the time comes to gently and very patiently hold out my fingers and hand bus for the butterflies to board and the releasing begins.

Now, with all new body parts functioning and familiar they turn their heads to and fro, while opening and closing bright wings, strengthening muscles and preparing for lift off to join many others of their kind on a journey completely unknown to them all.  

Skies are not always cerulean blue and I always say a little extra prayer, 

while whispering 'Good Luck', for those creatures that must fly out into a threatening canopy of sky.

Up and Away! What a thrill that first flight must be! 

Butterflies are nearsighted but can discern many colors with their complex compound eyes. 

They will discover many flowers along their way allowing them to recharge for their long and arduous flight to Mexico.

Another butterfly cuts into the sky . . . flying above the middle meadow garden.

Most days in September I wear butterflies. 

Above, on a day with soft, fluffy, cotton clouds and blue skies, 

I release four Monarch Butterflies out the Barn Studio doors into the North Garden. 

You can see one Monarch butterfly flying away just below the last one still clinging to my finger.

Some days I walk out into the gardens . . .  

sheltering the butterflies for awhile longer. 

This magical process goes on most of July, August and September. 

It is with a bit of sadness that I say goodbye to my last Monarch butterfly each year. 

I spend about a month with each of them . . . discovering the tiny eggs on milkweed that grows freely in my fields and gardens . . . two weeks of carefully caring for the capable caterpillars . . .  two weeks of admiring their jewel like chrysalises . . . then the final emergence and a few hours of knowing the butterflies close up . . . it is being uniquely connected to a special process of life unfolding within our mysterious world of nature. I cherish this seasonal ritual.

Each summer for nearly thirty years I have raised Monarch butterflies and written about their metamorphosis extensively. These are not scientific writings but close up observations of the life cycle from an artist/naturalist and farmers perspective. You can scroll down to the bottom of this page to see a cloud of words that together cover topics about mostly my land, gardens and the wildlife that share it with me. By clicking on 'Monarch Butterfly Metamorphosis' you might learn . . . in reverse . . . more about the Monarch Butterfly's life cycle and its momentous migration.

Seeing the Monarch butterflies I have raised join other butterflies and bees in the garden is the topic of my next installment of this series.

Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle: A Metamorphosis ~ Part Three ~ Emergence

The Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle: A Metamophosis . . .  continues with a busy butterfly community freeing themselves of confining chrysalises. 

Observing carefully you will note there is a difference in the first and second chrysalises . . . 

look towards the top and see how the surface begins to give like an accordion . . . 

expanding as the abdomen moves inside loosening the antennae and leg templates 

that clearly are revealed in the first image below.

There are often small signs revealing when change may occur . . . 

looking carefully at details of life allows for magical observations and enchantment. 

A gentle but firm push opening doors freeing body and spirit.

Going behind to observe how the back of the chrysalis gives way.

A plump male Monarch butterfly falls from his casing. 

Note the end of the abdomen. 

Emerging whole from dreams soon to be taking wing towards adventures yet unknown.

Insects have six legs but many butterflies mostly reveal only four. 

Looking just under the head and eye this photograph shows the fifth of six legs 

which is much smaller than the prominent four. 

The sixth is hidden on the other side of the Monarch butterfly.

A time to hang out allowing for wings to harden while pondering new trappings and mindset.

Elsewhere in the community another fresh opening into an exciting new existence.

Sturdy tenacious legs become like parachute strings holding on for dear life. 

A perfect female pumps her wet wings into fullness from her engorged abdomen. 

I cannot express how much this magical metamorphosis enriches my life each summer and fall. 

There are now only two chrysalis left hanging in my sedum bouquet. 

The caterpillar you see above is one.

Joy is complete when releasing these marvelous Monarch butterflies 

and seeing them take flight for the very first time. 

Next installment will be the sharing of releasing Monarchs into a sweeping cerulean sky.