Over a year ago I ordered seeds for milkweed since I heard there was a shortage of it. I had never seen it in a garden shop but apparently they do have it, as I bought some more this year. Then I waited. I wondered why I didn't see a bunch of Monarchs flying around my garden. I know that I had heard they are endangered due to habitat being depleted. Then I saw a page on FB for SE Michigan Monarchs and I joined the group. I saw everyone posting about eggs they found on their milkweed. So I thought I'd go take a look and.... And what did I find.... tiny white eggs the size of the head of a pin on a few leaves. So the Monarchs were there. I just had not seen them. I put the eggs in a container and waited and these tiny guys hatched. ~not sure if that's the right term, but you get the idea. How amazing that the eggs are put just on the exact and only leaf that they must eat to survive. They then emerge and begin eating and growing. As they grew larger I moved them out of their plastic food container in which I had poked tiny air holes. The one with the red lid to the left. into to my son's old frog habitat Their container has to be cleaned often. Since they eat a lot ....they poop a lot. So why might you ask am I bringing them inside. Well as you can see by their size... they would make a delicious bird meal. By bringing them in we are kind of helping to give them a helping hand in the hopes of increasing the population. As they get bigger I am super excited... like a kid! I am hopeful that I will get to see transformations. I have also learned caterpillars facts. For instance caterpillars that transform this late in the summer will most likely take part in the big migration from Michigan to Mexico. https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/monarch-butterfly-migration-rebounds I have 6 caterpillars in different stages Fingers crossed all goes well and all develop healthy and I can release them to head out to Mexico. I have learned that apparently like anything they can get diseases & die. Two have gone up to the top to start their transformation Good luck guys! ~Natascha~