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Home raised Black Swallowtale

Friday, June 27, 2008

A BUNCH OF FENNEL...AND A MIRACLE

posted by Olga at 14h47

by Olga

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Home raised Black Swallowtale

One of life's most interesting happening is to follow through the lifecycle of a butterfly. And did you know that you can experience this awesome miracle right in your back yard... just with a little luck!

We planted purposefully a bunch of fennel seeds and some parsley since the butterfly puts the eggs gladly on these herbs. They can smell the aroma from far away and they come...actually fly to "plant their future". You can spot the tiny white eggs here and there on the leave but in a few days they seem to disappear... Don't worry!

Unless they are eaten up by some other hungry creatures, they should be wiggling somewhere there. Tiny black things with a white mark in the middle. In a week they grow a lot and they eat more and more... until they are so full...they need a rest and a long-long sleep. By then, we usually put them in a jar with a stick and some fresh bunch of fennel. In a few days they start to lock themselves into their special pupa sleeping bag and now you just have to wait for the MIRACLE!

The pupa or chrysalis changes its colour from green to brown and eventually turns black, which means the "delivery time" is very soon! Everyone, get the camera!

You don't want to miss this! If you are lucky (and spend enough time in front of that silly jar!!!) you'll see the gorgeous Black Swallowtail emerging from its dry shell. It can give you the pleasure of walking on your fingers for a few hours until it gets dry and be able to fly.

Miracles happen even today! You just need a bunch of fennel!

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