I was able to find 3 caterpillars this weekend that resembled the common monarch. Although they look very similar, it appears that the caterpillar might actually be the eastern swallowtail as it was found on some dill in the garden, not milkweed plants like the common monarch is found on. Other theories today were that it could be the viceroy caterpillar. Some students did some close observing of these caterpillars during our center time today and I did some more research after school. It seems as though it is definitely the eastern swallowtail, so we will still be on the hunt for monarchs. Look out for milkweed and those monarch caterpillars. It would be great to have the opportunity to compare the changes the two make. INQUIRE with your child what they noticed about these caterpillars today!
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Eastern Swallowtail Caterpillar
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| Monarch Caterpillar |
