Autumn - the season of change is upon us. The color creeps into the maples in the forest and the sassafras out my window has stains upon its leaves. Roadside oaks show off their crimson scarves of Virginia creeper. While these are the hallmarks of the season (along with pumpkins!), we are still finding caterpillars.

It continues to be impossible to resist the temptation of raising a caterpillar. Driving into work the other day, I spotted something green crawling across the - no irony here - Green Acres sign. I stopped to investigate and discovered a tiger swallowtail, blown out of a neighboring cherry tree. This was just one of the late season caterpillars that I’ve encountered and this one has come to the Buttinger Nature Center for visiting school children to admire as it completes the last stage of its caterpillar life. After feeding just a bit more on some cherry, the next step for this caterpillar will be an overwintering chrysalid.

At the local orchard, I investigated the On Sale herbs and discovered a caterpillar on a parsley plant. “I think we should buy this one” I told Emerson. We have been raising and releasing black swallowtails throughout the summer, finding them in the garden, in the field, and at the garden center. Here at this late point in the season we have three chrysalids that will overwinter in the garage and three caterpillars who need to get to that point.

It is easy to raise these caterpillars, especially when both the parent and child are attentive. It takes a little knowledge, about the type of caterpillar and the food it eats, but this is readily attainable from the local nature center or the library.  I will also say that for us - parent and child - it is important to raise these caterpillars. This act honors and feeds our sense of wonder - caterpillars are truly astonishing creatures. They remind us that beauty is important and that magic exists all around us, right under our noses.  Additionally, raising these caterpillars teaches our children to be caring and nurturing. It teaches them about the connections between local plants and the animals that use them. It teaches them that little creatures matter. I am not alone in this notion. I have listened to families all summer long as they recount their stories. My friend Eric sent me a picture of his daughter Amelia enjoying their Io moth caterpillar, and ultimately, the Io moth itself.

The end result of all of this is that we become richer. We participate in the dance of life and we warm our attentive hearts. When the butterfly or moth finally hatches out and dries its wings there is a beautiful moment where we say thank you one last time, and goodbye. Our hearts swell each and every time we repeat this.

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