September 25, 2021

These are some lifestages or "instars"

Of the Atala butterfly

They start as eggs and end up

As winged creatures that flutter by.

Location: Jungle Trail, Vero

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/BFLY/Eumaeus_atala.htm

https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/2017/07/july-28-2017.html

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 2, 2017

Location: Vero Beach, Environmental Learning Center

I am now a Coontie Hairstreak,
A beautiful adult butterfly.
I'll live a happy life of about a month,
Lay eggs, and then I'll die.

Welcome to the final day of my special series on the lifecycle of the Cootie Hairstreak butterfly. I hope you have enjoyed it!

Sources: UF/IFAS - Features Creatures: Atala Butterfly

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 1, 2017

Location: Vero Beach, Environmental Learning Center

I am an Eumaeus atala,
Also known as Coontie Hairstreak,
As soon as I get out of my chrysalis,
My metamorphosis will be complete.

Welcome to day 5 of my special series on the life cycle of the Cootie Hairstreak butterfly.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 31, 2017

Location: Vero Beach, Environmental Learning Center

I am still a Coontie Hairstreak caterpillar,
I'm starting to form a chrysalis.
Technically, I'm starting to digest myself,
It's basic science, I'm not just a nihilist.

Welcome to day 4 of my special series on the lifecycle of the Cootie Hairstreak butterfly.

Sources: Scientific American - How Does a Caterpillar Turn into a Butterfly?

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 30, 2017

Location: Vero Beach, Environmental Learning Center

I am an Atala caterpillar,
But I might look a little strange.
My spots are starting to disappear,
My body is starting change...

Welcome to day 3 of my special series on the lifecycle of the Cootie Hairstreak butterfly.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 29, 2017

Location: Vero Beach, Environmental Learning Center

I am a young Atala caterpillar,
I'm eating a plant called the Coontie.
In fact, it's the only thing that I'll ever eat,
Good thing it tastes so yummy to me!

Welcome to day 2 of my special series on the lifecycle of the Cootie Hairstreak butterfly.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 28, 2017

Location: Vero Beach, Environmental Learning Center

These are the eggs of the Coontie Hairstreak,
And the Coontie plant to which they are attached.
Right now they are tiny and white,
But stay tuned to see what happens when they hatch!

Welcome to a special series on the lifecycle of the Coontie Hairstreak butterfly. For the next six days, I will be showing this beautiful butterfly from an egg all the way to an adult. Enjoy!

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson