Monday, July 27, 2015

Raising a Butterfly!!

I hadn't really thought about it, I didn't set out to raise a butterfly.
But there it was...
a caterpillar eating and resting on my "dying" dill.

I did a little research and it's not a bad idea to bring them indoors.
Only 2% of all caterpillars survive in the "wild".
They are easy to care for and feed,
and with just a little attention, they will easily thrive,
and become a beautiful butterfly.

I brought this little one indoors on July 20th...

 I used The Joyful Butterfly site as a guide in getting started
and double checked that information here as well.

 You need to include some sticks, which it loves to climb on.

 Since I found it on my dill, it was easy to determine what to feed it.

The container needs to be cleaned everyday for now.
And a little p.s...it eats and poops a lot.

And based on it's appearance and the fact that it was hosting on my dill,
I am pretty sure it is a Black Swallowtail.

I will surely keep you posted!!

Sharing with 
Stephanie at the Enchanting Rose
stop by and join in the fun.

29 comments:

jp@A Green Ridge said...

It looks like a Swallowtail caterpillar...Good for you!...:)JP

Andy said...

I am looking forward to following this project!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh we used to do this in school. I think it is going to be beautiful and safe from those birds:) Hug B

Jenn Jilks said...

Good for you! I've been bring them in, too. Just those in chrysalis, though. Still awaiting monarchs...

EG CameraGirl said...

What a super experience. I think I need to plant some dill next year. ;)

eileeninmd said...

Hello Debbie, you are a good mommy to the caterpillar and butterfly to be! Thanks for sharing and for taking care of the caterpillar. Happy Monday, have a great new week!

Gayle said...

A new adventure. (mini diapers?)
Keep us posted.

Sally said...

How exciting! I can't wait to see the growth, and finally a butterfly!

You are amazing. :)

xoxo

Muffie said...

So interesting! I wonder if it will make a chrysalis. If so, please take photos. Wouldn't this be a great project for little kids?!

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Oh, wow! The best craft project EVER!
:) m & jb who likes to chase butterflies but never catches them as their aerobatics are too advanced for her. Little tan moths are more her speed. She finds them quite tasty.

21 Wits said...

Now this rocks! i can't wait to see it all, please do share!

Cathy H. said...

Can wait to see the butterfly!

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Good luck I hope you get a beautiful butterfly to take pictures of!

(Or a moth, they can be quite pretty, too ;-)
~

LeAnn said...

Oh, I will have fun following this adventure. I really love how the caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly.
I think you should give it a name.
Hugs!

Beth Niquette said...

Thank you so much for dropping by my "ephemera" blog! :D I adore these photos of the caterpillar and can hardly wait to see what beautiful butterfly emerges after it spins its cocoon. :D

Gail Dixon said...

Raising butterflies is always something I've wanted to do! Thank you so much for the link and photos. Cannot wait to see the process unfold. :)

Brian King said...

Awesome! I can't wait to see what happens with your new friend! :-)

TexWisGirl said...

aren't you cute! you're a butterfly farmer!

Karen Lakis said...

I'm going to enjoy watching this!

Ruth Hiebert said...

That's exciting.

Unknown said...

How exciting, Debbie, and please do keep us posted.

Linda said...

This is SO cool!!! I am waiting to see the upcoming posts!!!
I love how you do things like this!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

I'm waiting now for the butterfly Debbie

Stewart M said...

Hope the new family member works out well!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Conniecrafter said...

Very interesting, never thought of doing that, this would be neat to do with kids too!

Anonymous said...

That is one of the most exciting things you will ever do! I was determined to save the caterpillars from the birds one year, and raised quite a few. What a thrill to see the metamorphosis.

Ida said...

Oh how cool. Can't wait for your buttefly to appear.

karen said...

This is so neat Debbie I hope the little caterpillar turns out to be a beautiful butterfly just for you. I don't commet much if you noticed been so busy painting by house inside but just want you to know I read your blog everyday. Have a wonderful day!

Stephanie said...

Oh Debbie, how fun! My son would love, love, LOVE to have his own caterpillar to watch. The other day he brought in two ants and made a "home" for them....he said they were his pets. I let him keep them for about an hour, but then told him they needed to go back to their "real" home :)

Hugs to you!