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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.

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29 comments:

  1. jp@A Green RidgeJuly 27, 2015 at 5:51 AM

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

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  2. AndyJuly 27, 2015 at 5:59 AM

    I am looking forward to following this project!

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  3. Buttons ThoughtsJuly 27, 2015 at 7:12 AM

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

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  4. Jenn JilksJuly 27, 2015 at 7:33 AM

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

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  5. EG CameraGirlJuly 27, 2015 at 7:41 AM

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

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  6. eileeninmdJuly 27, 2015 at 8:20 AM

    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!

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  7. GayleJuly 27, 2015 at 8:35 AM

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

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  8. SallyJuly 27, 2015 at 10:40 AM

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

    You are amazing. :)

    xoxo

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  9. MuffieJuly 27, 2015 at 11:29 AM

    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?!

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  10. Maureen @ Josephina BallerinaJuly 27, 2015 at 12:27 PM

    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.

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  11. 21 WitsJuly 27, 2015 at 12:27 PM

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

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  12. Cathy H.July 27, 2015 at 1:44 PM

    Can wait to see the butterfly!

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  13. ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©July 27, 2015 at 2:35 PM

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

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

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  14. LeAnnJuly 27, 2015 at 4:04 PM

    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!

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  15. Beth NiquetteJuly 27, 2015 at 5:03 PM

    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

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  16. Gail DixonJuly 27, 2015 at 5:44 PM

    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. :)

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  17. Brian KingJuly 27, 2015 at 6:16 PM

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

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  18. TexWisGirlJuly 27, 2015 at 8:18 PM

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

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  19. Karen LakisJuly 27, 2015 at 8:19 PM

    I'm going to enjoy watching this!

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  20. Ruth HiebertJuly 27, 2015 at 8:49 PM

    That's exciting.

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  21. UnknownJuly 27, 2015 at 9:28 PM

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

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  22. LindaJuly 28, 2015 at 12:50 AM

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

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  23. Margaret Birding For PleasureJuly 28, 2015 at 4:04 AM

    I'm waiting now for the butterfly Debbie

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  24. Stewart MJuly 28, 2015 at 5:46 AM

    Hope the new family member works out well!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  25. ConniecrafterJuly 28, 2015 at 9:35 AM

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

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  26. AnonymousJuly 30, 2015 at 1:14 AM

    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.

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  27. IdaJuly 31, 2015 at 12:15 AM

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

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  28. karenAugust 1, 2015 at 2:50 AM

    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!

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  29. StephanieAugust 3, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    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!

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