Mme Barnard’s grade 3 class and Ms. Weigand’s grade 3 class at ÉPESC. Photo submitted

Mme Barnard and Ms Weigand’s classes have been busy again raising Monarch butterflies. Although it was a little difficult to find Monarch caterpillars this summer, between the two classes they raised 45 butterflies.

École Port Elgin Saugeen Central School (ÉPESC) is home to a butterfly gardens, which houses Black Eyed Susans, Buddleia and Joe-Pye flowers

The children are amazed with the Monarch butterfly metamorphosis. Here is what the 3B and 3W students found the most interesting:

Wow, the caterpillar eats its egg, yuck! - Mason

The butterfly lays 100 eggs but only 1 percent of the eggs survive. - Avery

I can’t believe they fly so far. - Dominic

Wow, a caterpillar sheds its skin 5 times. - Kayden W

C'est intéressant que les papillons mâles ont les taches noires et dans ces taches noires il y a du parfum pour attirent les femelles. - Gracie

C'est intéressant que les papillons mâles meurent au Mexique mais les femelles peuvent commencer la migration vers le nord pour pondre leurs œufs. - Radia

C'est incroyable que les papillons peuvent voler au Mexique parce que c'est très loin et pourquoi ses ailes ne deviennent pas trop fatiguée? - Collin

When studying Monarchs, it leads to asking more and more questions and we still have some “wonders”:

Je me demande encore pourquoi les monarques ne peuvent pas rester au Canada et hiberner ici comme les autres papillons. - Nick

Je me demande encore comment la chenille se transforme en papillon dans la chrysalide. - Sam

I wonder if male or female butterflies have a better chance to make a longer journey. - Brookelyn

I wonder how they know where to go? How can they find Mexico without a map. - Kylie

I wonder what the flower nectar tastes like? - Kallen

From ÉPESC: “Remember, you too can help protect the Monarch butterfly by maintaining milkweed and by adding some butterfly-loving plants to your garden. Thanks for helping our Mariposas!

“Mariposa, adios
It’s so hard to say good-bye
As you lift your wings to fly
We know that you’ve ‘got to go’
Journey well to Mexico.”

Photo submitted

Photo submitted