Monarch butterfly fun

* Life cycle of the Monarch butterfly
  concepts: metamorphosis, molting, migration
  - eggs, larvae, as available (May?), with abandoned skin, head capsules
  - milkweed leaves, flowers (preferably aphid-infested) for dissecting
  - difference between caterpillar and worm (bring earthworms, beetle grubs)
  - difference between larva and adult.

* Other things:
  concepts: web of life
  - effect of Bt corn:
    Bt protein kills European corn borer larvae.  Bt pollen which
    land on milkweeds can kill Monarch larvae.
  - mimicry w/ Viceroy?
  - perils of mail-order butterflies

* Leave a few caterpillars for students to raise to adulthood
  - identifying and finding the common milkweed (A. syriaca)

* Slides or other visual aids:
  pictures of Monarchs in different stages, winter roost.

Reference: http://members.aol.com/PeterWChen/monarch.html