Caterpillars sometimes feel like gardeners’ foe when they eat away our plants, but they are an absolutely essential part of our ecosystem. We’ll closely look at caterpillars’ fascinating life cycle by learning basic facts about Lepidoptera; then, we’ll zoom in on Monarch and Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillars with some photos and videos of their growth, behaviors and metamorphosis. You will see that wonders of our natural world are happening right under our noses. By emphasizing the importance of creating habitats for caterpillars and butterflies, we’ll learn how we can experience rearing caterpillars thoughtfully based on Tufts University entomologist’s advice and Xerces Society’s recommendation.

Tomoko Deeney has guided Boston Public School students on Field Experience Programs at the Arnold Arboretum since 2017. Her interests in trees opened a flood gate to the natural world. Her love for caterpillars, in particular, began when she observed a monarch’s transformation as an educator at Newton Community Farm in the summer of 2022. Since then, she’s been peering into the fascinating world of insects. She is also an avid gardener and fiber artist who has intimately worked with wool from handling raw fleece, spinning yarn to dyeing with plants she grow in her garden.

All Somerville Garden Club meetings are free and open to the public. 7-9pm.

In-person meetings are held the at the Tufts Administration Building, (TAB), 167 Holland Street, second floor, wheelchair accessible. Parking is available for a small fee, and the building is a ten-minute walk from the Davis Square MBTA stop.

If you are interested in attending virtually, but have not received the meeting link via email, or are not a SGC member, you can email info@somervillegardenclub.org for the link.