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i placed a few sticks inside our aquarium, so that he could find a perfect place to form his chrysalis. When he found a good spot, he got very still and stayed like that for a quite a while. Then we watched him turn around on the stick, and spin a bit of silk.
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The more he puffed the thinner his skin became and it changed to a dull color. He let go of the stick, and his skin began to split. He slowly wiggled the skin down his body.
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One the skin is completely off, he rests. His new chrysalis is green and soft.
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Instead we got quite the surprise!
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Instead of a butterfly, this Ichneuman parasitic wasp emerged from the chrysalis!
When our little caterpillar was outside munching carrots, a female wasp had found it and laid her egg inside the caterpillar. As the caterpillar continued to feed and grow the wasp egg hatched and a tiny wasp maggot began to feed on caterpillar. While our caterpillar was pupating, the wasp larva was feasting.
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When the wasp is fully grown, it exits the chrysalis through a large hole in the side. Although it just part of nature, it was rather disappointing being that it was our only Black Swallowtail cat this year. My daughter was completely fascinated by the whole thing, but my boy was a little more bummed. We've witnessed other parasite infections with the monarch caterpillars we've raised.
No matter how many times we raise caterpillars, it is always a learning experience. The process is always amazing, no matter what happens to hatch out.
awwww....bummer deal...the learning is all well and good, but a wasp...pooh!
ReplyDeleteEww that is gross! Blech! What a disappointment. Cool thing to learn..but still...
ReplyDeleteamazing! I would have been very surprised after all that anticipation!
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ReplyDeleteI'm so phobic about wasps that I find this pretty horrifying. I would never tell my daughter that though... I'd go for ..oooh, interesting nature!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea this was even possible. I keep learning htings here.
Woah! Totally awesome! Definitely disapointing, but awesome nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteWasps are so great, and they're very helpful in parasitizing the nasty caterpillars..... but it would be nice if they left the butterflies alone!
That is amazing! I showed my daughter your story and she wanted to hear again and again! Never heard of a story like this! Thanks for sharing! Sorry there was no butterfly!
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