It was a surprising when Savvy K found FAT caterpillars in our garden. Being her delightful self then at 12 years-old, she asked "Can we keep them and watch them grow into butterflies?"
I was surprised that these caterpillars had their own food preferences.
They only ate the leaves of my desert rose (Adenium obesum).
I had three pots of this plant and caterpillars had invaded all three, 
munching happily.
We collected 10 Katy Kims, as what Savvy K called them and
placed them into plastic containers. Oh my, they had voracious appetites! They refused to eat any other leaves and our desert roses were almost bald.
We had to ask for "desert rose leaf donations" from neighbours and my colleagues at work.
They just chomp through the leaves like razor blades.
Savvy K was very diligent and cleaned their "homes." They "pooped" a real lot, but thankfully as dried pellets, so house keeping was not a problem.
Every one had names - "Hello Yellow, Momok Jin, Smoky BBQ, Ali Baba,
Little Bean, Tiny Boo, Lil Jinx, Plump Daisy and Bloated Submarine."
They started their pupa stage when they stopped their "cat" walk and turned a hardy brown. They looked like bullets with eyes. We placed the containers in a safe corner and left the lids opened.
Every so often, the pupae would do a "jiggle" or "shake." Savvy K was sad she never saw the butterflies, only the pupa cases remained in the mornings. During the nights or early mornings when it was cool, they completed their final stage of metamorphosis and flew away through the opened windows. Savvy K did a GOOD job. ALL the Katy Kims successfully transformed into butterflies.
Boey's butterfly inspired hand-painted T-shirt.
AH HA, I did find one butterfly in the morning
resting on the jasmine shrub.
I seen capitellar munch down on leaves in no time.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Yep, they are hungry creatures, can see the entire leaves devoured and disappear.
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame that she didn't see them take to the air - but a job very, very well done.
ReplyDeleteEvery morning, she checked before going to school but only the empty pupae shells were left behind.
DeleteActually most caterpillars have a food preference which is why the adult butterflies lay their eggs on certain plants. Too bad that she missed the emergence and flight, but she did a great job, and no doubt learned a lot.
ReplyDeleteYes, all the eggs were probably laid on the desert rose plants as we did not find any caterpillars on any other plant or shrub.
DeleteWhat a beautiful thing for a young girl to see! Good for Savvy K and I love the names. :) I never watched the transformation until a few weeks ago and only found one caterpillar. They sure do eat and poop a lot! :) It ate milkweed leaves and we have lots of those on our property so not as fussy as yours. :)
ReplyDeleteI read that caterpillars do like milkweed leaves. My desert rose leaves are slightly succulent and waxy. The caterpillars refuse to eat any of the more drier type leaves.
DeleteI was eagerly scrolling down to see their transformation into butterflies but wonder to hear their escape within a night! Savvy K did a good job keeping those in containers and cleaning now and then.
ReplyDeleteWe were eagerly waiting to see the butterfiles emerging from the pupae too Jeeva, but alas they did it only when we were asleep.
DeleteAmazing post! Very interesting! Thank you very much)
ReplyDeleteTQ Victoria, it was an interesting adventure too with the katy kims.
DeleteInteresting and educational for Savvy K. The caterpillars in my garden will eat up all my periwinkles leaves.
ReplyDeleteDifferent caterpillars have different taste! Like us humans.
Deletethat was so interesting. I've never seen a caterpillar in our yard.
ReplyDeleteThey seem to come and go. When I spot one, they are usually many more on the same type of plant.
DeleteOmg, saya tak pernah lihat caterpillars secara langsung, hanya dari foto atau YouTube. Padahal, teringin sangaaaat bisa melihat mereka berubah Caterpillar - pupa - then butterfly :D. Anak2 pun pasti senang memperhatikannya...
ReplyDelete