Sad day

Went out to check on the other caterpillars and looked in on the Monarch cocoons. The first one to go to cocoon in the habitat died. Looks like some other insect may have gotten to it. It has a small hole and is oozing. Hopefully I can keep whatever it is away from the others.

Punching bag hits back

FUNNY VIDEO: I captured some funny video while one of my Monarch caterpillars was getting ready to make it's cocoon. Appearntly these guys don't like being messed with. This happened several times and I finally had to move the little one to keep it from bugging (har har bugging) the bigger one.

Fuzzy Black and Orange

This guy was found in the same ditch with the fuzzy yellow ones. I thought at first they might be an older version of the same thing, however it is actually a Arctia caja or Garden tiger moth; Great tiger moth. They turn out to be a really pretty moth that is white with leopard brown splotches on the top two wings and an orange with blue dots on the bottom two wings. Can't wait for this one to cocoon and hatch.

Green Spikey

I believe I have identified the green spikey one from the http://www.bugguide.net/ website. It seems I was right when I said it crawled like a slug, becuase it is. It is a Crowned Slug - Isa textula. I was also correct in guessing that the little blackish-green thing at the bottom of the jar is it's cocoon. According to the http://www.forestryimages.org/ website it will become a cool moth for the collection.

I did some research and found that it will be in there through the winter. I'm begining to suspect that the only bug we have that will be out soon is the Monarch.

WARNING: If you find one don't touch it with your hands. The spikes are actually stinging spines.

Fuzzy yellow-brown caterpillar

This specimen was collected in the ditch. I originally had 5, but 2 got out of the habitat I built for them. The small one in the bottom pic was white at first and turned yellow like the rest. The one by itself has turned a brownish color. I believe it is a Phragmatobia lineata or Lined tiger moth. I hope that is what it really is, because it is a cool looking moth. None have yet made a cocoon.

New addition

I believe this is a Euchaetes egle or the layman terms Milkweed tussock moth; Milkweed tiger moth. It has not as of yet made a cocoon, but the same as the Monarch we'll pin a couple and let the rest go. Will post pic when it makes a cocoon and when it emerges.

Unknown caterpillar

This green spikey one is as of yet unidentified. One of the strange things about this little one is it seems to have no legs, crawling almost like a slug. It has already gone to a cocoon. If I find anymore information on this I will post it.

My First Bug Collection

This blog is a listing of the insects I have collected. The yellow and black striped caterpillar is a Danaus plexippus or Monarch. I created a habitat for them and several have made their cocoon. I was lucky enough to catch one of them splitting out of their skin on video. That was something new for me. I always thought they spun the cocoon. When these guys emerge I will pin a couple; one male and one female.... If I can figure out which ones are which. The rest I will let go. If I understand what I've read on them this is their last generation for the season and will be heading to Mexico for the winter. When the winter is over they will fly back to lay eggs for the first generation of next season, then die. Will post more Monarch pics and possibly video when they emerge.