And where to find caterpillars?
O very good, this will be exciting. It is so much more exciting to watch the cycle of life unfolding in real life, than watching TV
To answer your question above, you will find caterpillars in your garden on the leaves of the host plant you will grow and plant there. After you have completed the following steps:
1. locate and grow a butterfly host plant in your garden. i recommend Asclepias curassavica (Tropical Milkweed) to begin with. This will get you started right away. While this is growing, you can do internet search on other butterflies in your area and what host plants they use, and maybe get them growing as well. Only the Danaus use Asclepias c. as a host plant.
2. When the host plant is mature, keep your eye out for Danaus butterflies in your area to visit your garden. They will be attracted to your garden by the Asclepias and they will lay eggs on that plant. As you wander and/or work in your garden take a look at the underside of the leaves for small white eggs (one or two per leaf, but not on all the leaves). The eggs will hatch about 3 days after they are laid (in case you happen to see them being laid). You also find the tiny caterpillars by looking for leaves that have been chewed on (little holes in the middle of leaves or small chew marks along the edges. Another way to find them is by seeing if there is frase (poop) on the leaves. The frase of the very tiny caterpillars will also be tiny black specs (like finely ground pepper). From there look for the caterpillar(s) on the host plant. Easiest to find early morning and early to late evenings when they are active and eating. Nothing other than water should be sprayed on the leaves of any host plant, or the caterpillars will die when they eat it. Let me know when the Asclepias plant is in your garden and i will send you photos of both the butterfly and the caterpillar.
Two easy steps. This is where you find caterpillars.
There are butterflies that may only live 2 to 3 days after reproducing (which they do as soon as possible after being flight ready) to six months, all depends.
By the way, the Asclepias (genus name) plants are toxic to humans and exude a white milky sap if leaf or stem is broken so wash you hands after handling the plant. You will also need very clean hands when/if handling the caterpillars because they are very susceptible to bacteria...so wash hands before handling unless it is an emergency
