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.