[L1V1D]

Username: L1V1D
Name: Oruguita (Roughly translates to 'Little Caterpillar' in Spanish)
Their favourite insect + why:
The Monarch Butterfly! The adores the monarch butterfly in specific, both because of how similar she is in appearance to one, and also because of how resilient Monarchs are known to be!

Each year there are about 4 generations of monarchs that make the trek between Mexico and the North Mid/Eastern United States (There is also a group that travels between the California Southern Coast and the Upper North West of the United States). Monarch Migration Map
The 1st Generation is typically born in Northern Mexico and the Southern United States, as the 4th generation from last year travels away from the wintering sites to lay eggs. 2 generations occur before the wintering population (or 4th generation) is born. The wintering population lives much longer than any other generation, living up to 8 months! They make a 2-month journey down to the wintering locations in Mexico and the Southern US, gathering in massive groups while they wait out the cold temperatures. A sample of the wintering group

Monarchs typically lay eggs as soon as possible (Unless they are the wintering population, then they will wait for Spring), with the eggs hatching after 4 days. They are tiny (Size with Dime), and when they hatch they are grey, instead of the usually yellow, white, and black stripes. They gain coloration within around 2 days. Monarchs are larvae, or caterpillars for around 2 weeks! During this time, they eat exclusively milkweed. Milkweed is filled with toxic milk which monarchs use both as a method of hydration and a deterrent, via repurposing the toxins as their own! It causes most predators to get sick after eating them, which leads that predator to leave Monarchs alone in the future. After their 2 weeks as a caterpillar are over, being around this size, they find a safe spot to form a chrysalis. After another 2 weeks, they will emerge as butterflies and after an additional 4 hours, their wings will be dry and they are ready for flight!

[crexmii]

Username: crexmii
Name: melina
Their favourite insect + why: despite the butterfly-like patterns on melina's wings, she actually prefers moths, especially the silk moths! (also known as bombyx mori)
she loves them as they're super fluffy and cute, and also because they look like clouds come to life. melina has always dreamed of flying and touching the clouds, but her wings are unfortunately too small for her. being a very imaginative marumi, she likes to believe that these moths are little clouds that have come down from their homes in the sky to visit her so she can have a chance to touch them.
(these are domesticated silk moths by the way, the wild ones are known as bombyx mandarina!)

[dracopia]

Username: dracopia
Name: Ember
Their favourite insect + why: isopods - particularly 'rubber duck' isopods !! they're like little pets to her :-3

[SpotSong]

Username: SpotSong
Name: Tiger
Their favourite insect + why: They are obsessed with Ladybugs. Sure there are the cute little red adults with black spots but something about the larvae stage is their absolute favourite! Maybe its that the little creatures look so terrifying as an infant but blossom into such a beloved and well known insect just like a butterfly. Safe to say they have quite the plethora of these lil guys around where they reside!
Image Here

[Rylf]

Username: Rylf
Name: Mariposa
Their favourite insect + why: She loves all kinds of caterpillars. She sees them as unlimited potential. Mariposa has been studying the ones around her home to catalog what they grow into, finding it fascinating how each one can be so vastly different and unique!

[astral.]

Closed to judge <3

[astral.]

While I thought every entry was unique and absolutely lovely to read, the passion behind this particular entry really caught my attention <3 It was really interesting to learn so much about the Monarch butterfly! Thank you!

Congratulations <3

Username: L1V1D
Name: Oruguita (Roughly translates to 'Little Caterpillar' in Spanish)
Their favourite insect + why:
The Monarch Butterfly! The adores the monarch butterfly in specific, both because of how similar she is in appearance to one, and also because of how resilient Monarchs are known to be!

Each year there are about 4 generations of monarchs that make the trek between Mexico and the North Mid/Eastern United States (There is also a group that travels between the California Southern Coast and the Upper North West of the United States). Monarch Migration Map
The 1st Generation is typically born in Northern Mexico and the Southern United States, as the 4th generation from last year travels away from the wintering sites to lay eggs. 2 generations occur before the wintering population (or 4th generation) is born. The wintering population lives much longer than any other generation, living up to 8 months! They make a 2-month journey down to the wintering locations in Mexico and the Southern US, gathering in massive groups while they wait out the cold temperatures. A sample of the wintering group

Monarchs typically lay eggs as soon as possible (Unless they are the wintering population, then they will wait for Spring), with the eggs hatching after 4 days. They are tiny (Size with Dime), and when they hatch they are grey, instead of the usually yellow, white, and black stripes. They gain coloration within around 2 days. Monarchs are larvae, or caterpillars for around 2 weeks! During this time, they eat exclusively milkweed. Milkweed is filled with toxic milk which monarchs use both as a method of hydration and a deterrent, via repurposing the toxins as their own! It causes most predators to get sick after eating them, which leads that predator to leave Monarchs alone in the future. After their 2 weeks as a caterpillar are over, being around this size, they find a safe spot to form a chrysalis. After another 2 weeks, they will emerge as butterflies and after an additional 4 hours, their wings will be dry and they are ready for flight!

[L1V1D]

While I thought every entry was unique and absolutely lovely to read, the passion behind this particular entry really caught my attention <3 It was really interesting to learn so much about the Monarch butterfly! Thank you!

Congratulations <3

Username: L1V1D
Name: Oruguita (Roughly translates to 'Little Caterpillar' in Spanish)
Their favourite insect + why:
The Monarch Butterfly!
-snip-

Thank you so much, I may explode