August 12, 2020
Dearest Jody,
We had a near catastrophe this morning. But you would not understand because I have not told all the truth to you. You brought me four swallowtail larvae: two late instars, a tiny first instar, and one in the middle. I never told you that the tiny one and the one huge one disappeared. Amelia and I searched and searched but could not find them in the enclosure or in the house (I have had caterpillars run on me before, especially Monarchs). You went to a lot of trouble for these little guys and are so deeply invested that I did not want to disappoint you.
I continued the search over the next few days for a chrysalis, hoping the big one ran away and pupated under a table, or in a dark corner somewhere. It did. I found it today. I went into the kitchen to make breakfast (which seldom happens) and Nelly the Naughty Cat was leaping about the windows trying to catch a bug. It was your butterfly! He had to have pupated yesterday because he was totally dry and ready to leave.
And it's a boy!
But I couldn't get a camera and save the butterfly, too.
I had to yell at Nelly, which brought Lucy racing down to the kitchen to help me. Lucy is a great cat wrangler and loves the times that they are naughty. Nelly ran into the basement. I went for the camera, which was charging, because I lost that spare battery, so I had to reload the battery. By that time, Nelly had returned to slaughter the butterfly. But one word to Lucy and Nelly was in the basement again. I took the photos. I got him on my finger to pose a bit. But I had to release him because he was beating his wings on the window and destroying his scales.
You have never met Nelly in real life before. Here she is this morning trying to take the lens cover off of the camera. She has her sweet moments. But she is a killer and I am grateful for her mousing capabilities.
All other larvae (except the tiny one) are accounted for (1 infant, 1 last instar, 1 chrysalis). Three to go.
Forgive me, Jody. 😇 I try.
December 10, 2020
Dearest Jody,
I found the chrysalis. That caterpillar crawled 20 feet across the kitchen and up a post and under a cast iron skillet hanging there.
Forgive me?
If not? Here is the photo I took of your Tiger this summer . . .
He is well-behaved.
 |
| More Felines here! |
_/\_/\_
