“Tucker” the Milkweed Tussock Caterpillar Turns into a Cocoon

IMGP6823In my last posted on Aug 29, I lost “Tucker” after providing him the best habitat for it to spin its cocoon in an open container filled with shredded paper for nesting. It was placed on the open window sill and that night, it disappeared apparently thru a small opening in the screen. Sad news! However, the next day, I found it climbing up the garden shed door. I quickly grasped it and now placed it with the Monarchs in their butterfly house to feed. After all they love the same type of food–milkweed. After several days, I just forgot about it and thought it expired. Happy News…today (Sept 9) while removing the decayed milkweed leaves in the butterfly house, one leaf made the perfect place for “Tucker” to pupate and go into its cocoon! Now, it will winter over and be ready to emerge next spring into a moth. Life does has sweet ending after all!

About Mary Ann COKE

My granddaughters' interest in raising Monarchs inspired me to also save these beautiful and remarkable creatures. This is my 3rd season and live in Michigan on acreage that has milkweed at my door step. It's a great place for hunting eggs and caterpillars and delighting others when a Monarch finally emerges. Releasing them into the wild is as freeing as if our human hearts are being released, too. To date as of 8/26/14, 20 have been released with 14 in reserve as chrisalis and numerous caterpillars yet to complete their stages.