Raising, Tagging and Releasing Monarchs
Every year we try to raise monarch caterpillars in class and then tag the Monarch butterflies that emerge from the chrysalis before we set them free to fly to Mexico. Each tiny tag has a number on it that is unique to each butterfly. The tag is registered with a citizen science project called "Monarch Watch." If anyone finds the butterfly, the tag will link them to information about where the butterfly was released.
2015
In 2015, we started a project where we measure their growth at the different instar stages of their development. Below is a story and the data of how we did it.
Post from 2015 - After 2 hours of looking for Monarch caterpillars last Friday - quite unsuccessfully - I stopped by my library to pick up a book and came upon a display with a Monarch chrysalis. I rushed up to my friendly librarian and told her how I wasn't able to find Monarch caterpillars these last 2 years (their numbers are dwindling). She told me that this wonderful person, Deanne Vinson, hunts for eggs in fields and raises them. She has raised over 150 caterpillars this year alone!
My library put me in contact with Deanne and she graciously shared tiny hatchling caterpillars with me to bring to class so we can observe their growth and development. |
Monitoring Monarch's Growth
3 Days Old
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5 Days old
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10 Days old
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11 Days Old
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September 23, 2015
Monarch #1: 18 mm Monarch #2: 12 mm |
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Days Old
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Days Old
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Days Old
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