Plucked from a pot of herbs, Scrubby became a household pet for a brief time. With the help of Google, we learned Scrubby was a Papilio polyxene who liked to eat parsley, among other things.
For four days, Livia carried Scrubby’s jar to her room during quiet time. She would sit in her room for an hour, quietly letting the caterpillar climb all over her hands and arms. I was pretty sure that such frequent handling of the insect would prevent him from turning into a butterfly, but I was wrong.
Scrubby began to do what he was made to do. He had a really odd poop, climbed onto a twig, strapped himself in with one strand of silky thread, then stayed still for about 24 hours straight. I went away to a mini-retreat at church and came home to a green chrysalis. Livia said Jeremy kept looking at the jar and only seeing leaves and that she was the one to point out Scrubby’s chrysalis.
For 11 days, we kept vigil by the side of the jar. Towards the end of the time, Scrubby’s chrysalis turned grey, then one night it was almost black—apparently the chrysalis becomes transparent before the butterfly emerges.
We awoke on a Tuesday morning and Scrubby was no longer his green striped chubby caterpillar self; he was a glorious Black Swallowtail butterfly. Livia wasn’t home at the time, so I took the jar, with its transformed inhabitant, and picked her up from my mom’s house. Liv’s jaw almost hit the floor when she saw Scrubby—it was awesome. She chose to release her winged friend and he was last seen testing out his new wings over the lake in my mom’s backyard.
I was surprised by how fascinated I was at Scrubby’s transformation. I knew Livia would love it, but really, I loved the whole experience too. I’m amazed at how God created such an interesting life cycle for this fat little caterpillar. The Master Artist clearly spared no detail in his creation.
11 Comments
andy Jul 26, 2010 8:20 AM
So very cool.
Renae Jul 26, 2010 8:33 AM
When I saw your Flickr pics, I was so excited for this post — and it’s even better than I imagined.
One of my very favorite memories from my childhood is hunting for monarch caterpillars with my mom and watching them grow, form their chrysalis, and hatch (?). We did it every year. I can’t wait until the boys are old enough to do the same!
Jo Jul 26, 2010 12:35 PM
This made me very happy!
tasha Jul 26, 2010 2:46 PM
i can’t wait for kate to hear this story from livia!! we need to get together!!
Sarah B Jul 26, 2010 2:51 PM
This is SO amazing!!! Like your very own little science experiment in the Tredway kitchen. I mean really, I can totally imagine your excitement as you went to show Liv what happened to Scrubby. (And a caterpillar named Scrubby is hysterical, too.) Love it, my friend. :)
Bethany Jul 26, 2010 3:20 PM
COOL! I love love love Liv’s fascination with bugs and nature. :)
alina Jul 26, 2010 3:42 PM
I laughed at this post because we are in the middle of our very own black swallowtail transformation. I found three among our parsley plants last week, and we’ve fed them, cared for them, and now sadly only one has survived and is currently in his bright green chrysalis. What’s funny about all of it has been MY obsession with the whole thing. Matt just snickers when I talk about it and check the cage a billion times a day. Glad I’m not the only teaching-mother-turned-caterpillar-obsessed dork.
Oh, and you beat me to posting photos. We’ve got a week left until expected transformation is complete. Your photos turned out awesome!
Kerri Jul 26, 2010 3:48 PM
Very cool. Love it!
Erin W. Jul 26, 2010 6:14 PM
We did this a couple of years ago too with Monarch butterflies, crown flower plants and a cage…and I was so amazed as well.
Aubrey Jul 26, 2010 6:43 PM
Love this photos series! How cool.
Jen Jul 26, 2010 7:17 PM
Rebecca captured and incarcerated 8 caterpillars early in the summer that all made it into moths.
I remember one of the kids putting the above caterpillar in a shoebox before vacation. They opened it up when we returned home and ! Out flew a beautiful Black Swallowtail!