06/07/2026
Paprika the Monarch buttery! In April, we found a caterpillar under one of our beds out in the nursery. Shortly after we found him, he curled himself up in a cocoon!
During this phase, the caterpillar releases enzymes to dissolve its tissues. Certain highly organized groups of cells (called imaginal discs) survive this process, the caterpillar uses them as a kind of blueprint for its adult form.
Once they’re all goopy in their cocoon, these cells use their protein-rich environment to fuel the creation of the wings, arms, eyes, antennae, and anything else they’ll need to be a butterfly.
It’s really important to keep a careful (but distant!) eye on your buggy friend during this phase, as a disturbance could hurt their transformation.
For 27 days we watched ours cook in his little cocoon…and on May 16th Paprika was born! 🦋
