In typical Texas fashion, our weather has been ever-changing, in the upper 70s one day and the low 30s the next. As you will remember from a previous post, the monarch caterpillars have continued to lay eggs during our continuous warm weather. I shared several pictures of the caterpillars on my milkweed and the many chrysalises around the yard a couple of weeks ago. I put off cutting back the milkweed in hopes that these caterpillars would make their chrysalises and then move on. However, a couple of days ago, I checked the milkweed to find 10-12 new caterpillars! Some of these caterpillars are big enough to make their chrysalises very soon.

I had resigned myself to the fact that the circle of life would mean these caterpillars wouldn’t survive the coming freezing weather. I did some research and decided to make a caterpillar habitat for them to stay in through the chilly weather. I used a cardboard box, tape, and a roll of tulle to create this makeshift habitat. It fits perfectly on the workbench in the garage.

I cut the milkweed stalks that had caterpillars on them and transferred the milkweed, with the caterpillars, to a pot. I moved the rest of the caterpillars using a paper towel. The habitat only needs to hold the caterpillars through the freezing weather, then I will put them back outside when the weather warms up.

With our yo-yoing weather this time of year, I am glad I had the materials to make a temporary home for these monarch butterflies-to-be. The goal is to be able to put them back outside soon so they can continue their life cycle. I will trim the milkweed back this week to encourage any butterflies that hatch from this group of caterpillars to head south!