Wandering First Instar

[Mona Miller]

There's a tiny hole in the leaf, but the first instar has disappeared. Did I have an egg there or not? I checked here and checked there. The next day, I find the little fellow up on the inside of the lid wondering around. What in the world is it looking for? No milkweed on the lid. I carefully took a nice fresh leaf and picked it up and put it in with the rest of the first instar. I hope this adventurous toddler stays put.

The morale of the story is make sure you watch out for tiny wondering caterpillars. They don't aways stay on the leaf where they hatch.