The very hungry Free-Ride caterpillars.

A few weeks ago, the Free-Ride family welcomed some new members.

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About 14 new members (although it can be hard to get an accurate count when they're squirming around).

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Right now their main interests are eating, growing, and climbing on their siblings to find more to eat. Their growth is pretty alarming in its rapidity (especially since we've just moved them to the largest wide-mouth jar we have).

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We were waiting for their arrival for a good long while. Now that they're here, we're trying to enjoy the days before they grow up and have kids of their own.

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It being spring and all, the Free-Ride offspring sometimes get that wistful why-aren't-we-4H-kids? look in their eyes. Not that there aren't critters aplenty in the back yard. The younger Free-Ride offspring sizes up the ladybugs and looks for a jar with holes in the lid that would be appropriate…
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It is only on really stressful days when I refer to them as my unholy army of the night.   The rest of the time, at least at meals, it is just "my army" and we really do go through a stunning amount of food.                   For example, in late August, right around the time this photo was taken…

Friend who raises butterflies from caterpillars says they can be very delicate. Just touching one may kill it. So treat yours with care.

By Jim Thomerson (not verified) on 03 May 2009 #permalink