Saturday Critters #607

 It's been a super hot summer here at the Jersey Shore

 and I have not been out as much as I would like with the camera.

But that's o.k., 

I love being at home and I have plenty of work and hobbies to keep me busy.

I am taking good care of my caterpillars, I have about 12 right now, 

most in the Chrysalis form the others are eating me out of "house and dill", 

they will form into Chrysalis soon.

You can't believe how much dill these little guys eat.

The first new eggs from this season grew to be caterpillars, then formed a chrysalis, and emerged.

The second group will emerge into a butterfly in approximately 2 - 3 weeks.

All of the chrysalis from last fall emerged successfully this spring.

I found 3 itty-bitty ones on my dill today, this will be the third round of releases this summer.

If even more come, they will probably stay in the Chrysalis form all winter,

and emerge in the spring of 2026.

- this is a boy, they have more yellow -

- this is a girl, they have more blue -

This is such a fun hobby and has brought so much joy into my life...

and maybe I am saving these beautiful butterflies, one butterfly at a time.

I have been doing this for years...

I have shared many posts on my experiences, if you are interested they can be found

- here - here - here -
I also have a "Search This Blog" feature on my blog.

If you search "Raising Caterpillars or Raising Butterflies, a lot more posts will come up.

Raising Butterflies For Fun

Is a great source for raising butterflies ever if you are a beginner and would like to get started.

Before I started, I read a few butterfly specific books, searched the web

 and read the article highlighted above.

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturdays Critters