Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - Story of Herbie
I have friends (waving) that have been asking me, "Whatever happened to my tomato hornworm?" "When are you going to put Herbie up on your blog?" Well the wait is over. Here is the story of Herbie.
Tues 8/1: Herbie was found eating a pepper plant in the garden of my friend Lisa. We were all fascinated with him and after looking through Lisa's bug books, we were able to determine that Herbie, as Lisa named him, was a tomato hornworm. He measured right around 4 inches.
(picture from http://insects.tamu.edu)
Thur 8/3: After reading up on tomato hornworms I found that he would need dirt. So we created a habitat for him with tomato slices, tomato leaves dirt and rocks.
Fri 8/4: Herbie spent most of the day going around and around in the container. He was not the brilliant green color anymore but more gray and dusty looking. He was also shrinking in size.
Sun 8/6: Herbie buried himself partially in the dirt. The part that was exposed was reddish brown and crunchy looking while the buried part looked soft and supple and still had the grayish green color. Now he measures an inch and a half.
Soon his whole body was not buried in the dirt but sitting on top of the dirt. He was in his cocoon.
Mon 8/21: Took pictures of Herbie and Curbie (we got another hornworm) to show them in their cocoons.
We were supposed to spray them with water every few days or so. The segmented parts wiggled every time we sprayed them.
Sat 9/2: Herbie hatched from his cocoon. Was actually going to spray the cocoons and found something extra in the dirt. Herbie was in his cocoon for just under a month. In the wild they can stay in their cocoon until spring.
Herbie is now a sphinx moth.
Wed 9/6: Curbie, our other hornworm hatched.
We left Curbie in a safe place to dry out and fly away. But we are sad to report that Herbie's wings were underdeveloped and he didn't make it.
Comments
Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - Quite a documentary!
Posted by Fiffi
Hi Danielle
That was a great journal.....sad to hear Herbie didn't make it. I hope Curbie does! Your insect stories are SO interesting. Often we don't think about these type of happenings.I must admit I certainly prefer the little creatures in the POST cocoon stage!!!!
Thanks again
Fiffi
Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Prncsstefy
Poor Herbie but I'm glad that Curbie made it. Ours are taking forever to come out of their cocoon. I'm wondering if they're going to make it.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by hugs4Him
What awesome pics; such a sad ending though!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by babymakers
he didn't make it
It sounds like he is a person or something. Did you try CPR? LOL
Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Heather
Sorry Herbie didn't make it. And I'm sorry to say but those little guys are just ugly in their moth state. LOL I still like reading about it all though.
Thursday, September 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by si344
Showed m your blog today and watched the clips. M wants to say -"I liked it". I'm thinking...ummm I can hop like a kangaroo. I don't know where that comment came from...but he keeps saying it now. Anyways, we enjoyed the clips and pics today and have introduced a friend to your blog as well and she truly loved your site as well. have a great day!
Sunday, September 17, 2006 - Sorrry for Herbie )0:
Posted by Canadagirl
You did amazing job on recording the cycle of them Morphing ! I would love to know what bug books you recommend or you used to figure out what Herbie was and how to create a enviroment for them. I loved how you knew to spray him and when. I want to try this kind of science out ! I hope you come and see my new look on my blog. (0: I did it all by myself. God Bless.
In Him,
Monday, September 18, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by si344
Hi , i was wondering if you could have a set of bible verses you are using to go in alphabetical order for the weekly memory verse. If so could you let me know. Right now I am finding B a bit hard. S says to use Behold I knock. but if you have a shorter one, id love it thanks!
