Kirincich's Kiddos: Sensational 2nd Graders

While our Luna moth is not as healthy as we had hoped, he has surprised us by continuing to hang on.

Our Luna Moth

Meanwhile, our butterflies are hatching as well, and with the exception of our half in/half out one, they look healthy!

One butterfly out, two chrysalises, and our half in/half out

Surprisingly, our half in/half out one actually “came out” as well. It was even crawling a little with its caterpillar portion. It did not make it long though. Another butterfly’s meconium actually dripped on it, and that seemed to be the end.

Our "half and half"

It has been a very strange year for science in room 18!

Our Luna Moth struggled to come out yesterday. Owen heard a noise during math and we realized it was about to emerge. However, what should have taken just a short period of time ended up taking all day. It doesn’t look good either…

Our Luna Moth

I was worried about leaving it alone over night, but really- what could I do? I was surprised to find it still alive this morning, although still not looking so good. This is a moth that won’t be able to fly. What would nature do?

All our attention was on the Luna Moth, so it was a very happy surprise to peak in our other habitat and see that a Painted Lady Butterfly had emerged from its chrysalis!

Most of our butterflies are now in the pupa stage instead of the larva stage. However, we have one little guy who seems to have only formed half of his chrysalis. His caterpillar-self is hanging out, and we wonder what’s going on inside the chrysalis part, and what (if anything) will happen to it.

Our "Half and Half"

?????