Tag Archives: cocoon

Monarch Butterfly Macros.. Aug 18, 2025

Click on photos to enlarge.

When my friend Aurora Michel invited me over to her garden to possibly see monarch butterflies emerging from their cocoons, I hoped to see the entire process.  Alas, no butterflies did emerge, but I did get some good macros of the cocoons and butterflies, as seen above!

Below are photos earlier taken by Aurora and sent to me to entice me over to see the real event: (Again, click on photos to enlarge.)

 

Surprise Development: FOTD Jan 3, 2024

When I reached into this cluster of assorted succulents and grabbed this dried leaf to pull it from the branch, it wriggled in my fingers and pulled away from me.  Only then did I realize that it was a cocoon!  I forgot to check it again today, but there was certainly evidence of life within it yesterday.  Yes, of course I left it. Curious to see what emerges, if I’m lucky enough to observe it.

Post Script: Unfortunately, I waited too long. I actually took that photo on Dec. 30. Went out today (Jan. 3) to inspect it and it was gone. Not one evidence of anything every being there. I searched all the remaining plants that I could see and nada. Brian thinks it was a Case Moth or Bag Worm, and I think he is correct. Guess we’ll never know for sure, though. So sorry that I didn’t keep better track of it.

For Cee’s FOTD