Kids and Chrysalises at Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center

After some break in our activities for about 2-3 weeks, this weekend we were eager to go out for some program. We decided to visit the Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center in Hayward. They host weekend science programs for kids and adults. This Sunday they had the program Kids and Chyrsalises which was for all age groups.

While waiting for the class to start we explored the exhibits: the fish tanks, the western fence lizard, a microscope, salt block and other kids activities.



The instructor started with showing us Chrysalises of the Anise Swallowtail butterfly, one was still intact while the other was a remain of a caterpillar which had already transformed to butterfly.

We came to know that the Chrysalis is formed from the skin of the caterpillar. The caterpillar sheds its skin as it grows and the last time that it does so, underneath is the chrysalis.The Anise Swallowtail can be in the chrysalis form for various periods, depending on the weather and part of the world. Usually in the cold regions like Canada, it will hibernate throughout the fall and winter and only come out in Spring. In warmer regions it can come out in 2 - 4 weeks.



The butterfly stage is also small for these creatures and they live for 3 - 6 weeks when they lay eggs on fennel plant. The butterfly is called as Anise Swallowtail as the caterpillar grows and eats fennel plants and the butterfly has tail which looks like a Swallows wings when it is in flight.

A fennel plant outside the Hayward shoreline Interpretive Center exhibited the caterpillars at various stages. The just hatched ones are like tiny black dots, as they grow their appearance changes. These have 6 legs( as butterflies are insects) and many pro-legs that help the caterpillar to stick on to things(shown in the picture above). When upset the caterpillar protrudes its horn which emits bad smell that keeps the predators away.

Back in the classroom the kids made a craft butterfly to carry home.