Hi Andrew, It certainly can have something to do with weight differences or humidity. I'm glad this recipe works for you, too! I love AllRecipes!

Hi Betsy How nice to hear from you. I did nothing to the caterpillar after it made its cocoon. It wont eat at all. Just dont give up on it in the spring when it seems like it should have emerged. The only other advice I can think of is to make sure the jar is big enough for it to emerge without hurting its wings. Dont worry too much about that, either. We raised monarchs over the summer and I forgot to move one before it eclosed and she was just fine! Thanks for the advice on what the caterpillar eats. Ive had several questions about these caterpillars since I posted this and I have never been able to successfully answer what it eats for sure. I hope your little ones love the lesson. It is also a long lesson in patience! LOL. I recommend butterflies in the summer for a quick result. Ive been meaning to blog about our experience and have been a bit behind in blogging. Take care and let me know when yours emerges if you remember! Sarah http://sassypriscilla.typepad.com Hi I am a little late on this thread but came across your fuzzy yellow caterpillar post when I google our fuzzy little yellow caterpillar. We are doing the same thing you did (hopefully). He has turned into a cocoon. I see that it took 8 months for the moth to emerge. Did you change the food/leaves while he was in a cocoon? I am afraid to move the old leaves incase I bump the cocoon or stick it is attached to... Ours is in a jar with a burlap top outside. Thanks for any advice. This has been and will be a fantastic lesson for my children. ps. The American Dagger Moth/caterpillar eats hardwood leaves. ie maple, oak, etc. we gave our caterpillar maple and he went to town and the next day he was a cocoon!

Hi again Tori, I apologize that I dont know what the Dagger Moth Caterpillar eats. A book I have states it eats leaves from a variety of trees but doesnt specifically state which trees. When we got ours, it was ready to make a cocoon. Ive learned a bit about butterflies and moths since I posted this article and wouldnt recommend bringing in a caterpillar unless you can identify it and what it eats. We raised Monarch butterflies over the summer - the caterpillar host plant for monarchs is milkweed. Turning green does not sound like a good thing. It sounds like it is starving. I really recommend that if it isnt eating that you turn it loose. Ours made a cocoon within one day and did not lose any fur or turn any colors. Im sorry I cant help further. We only had one Dagger Moth caterpillar and I think I was just lucky with it ready to make its cocoon right away. I know with butterflies, the less handling, the better. Be sure to wash your hands before touching and after. Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Jesse, Thanks for the question. It took 8 months, but we got our moth. Here is a picture: http://sassypriscilla.typepad.com/sassy_priscillas_craft/2009/05/the-most-spoiled-moth-american-dagger-moth-revealed.html Sarah

I love your Spring cake. I ventured into making graham crackers using a recipe from AllRecipes: http://sassypriscilla.typepad.com/sassy_priscillas_craft/2010/01/homemade-honey-graham-crackers.html I've been meaning to try Smitten Kitchen's recipe and am anxious to learn your results from the KAF recipe.

The little girls in the photos are so darling. I would love to win this giveaway. Thanks for the chance!