Adult's Guide to Finding Monarch Caterpillars

Children are particularly adept at hunting for and finding caterpillars. I think this is so, because children are lower to the ground and their innate sense of curiosity has yet to be replaced with a mundane practicality that comes with age. Given enough time on their hands and space to roam, I believe that every child becomes a scientist; and sometimes to the exhaustion of their adults.

For the rest of us bigger, less flexible, impatient (and yes perhaps there are a few wonderless) humans among us, I thought I would help us along by assembling a cheat. Who has time for experiential learning after all when there are important adult things to do. I'm kidding of course, for what else could be more important than getting out there and discovering all that Vernon has to offer!

1) Find milkweed plants.

2) Examine leaves for nibbles.

3) Look for poop (yes poop).

4) You may find milk indicating that the plant has been recently gnawed upon.

5) You have found your plant! Start turning over leaves.

Milkweed Tussock Moth

6) Be brave and keep trying!

7) Nice try, but Monarch caterpillars have antenna on the front and tentacles on the back. Additionally, Monarch caterpillars have a black, white and yellow pattern. Keep looking!

Fall Webworm Moth

8) Borrow your neighbor's children and pay them to find one for you,

or

9) Steal your daughter's photograph that she texted to you the night before.

Photo credit- Helen Manning of Wells ME

10) Pour yourself a tall refreshing glass of iced tea, Google "Monarch Butterfly caterpillars" and pat yourself on the back for discovering what the saying "work smart not hard" means. - Norma Manning

Resource: Caterpillars-- identification guide-- Discover Life