Summer Investigation Mystery

"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" ~ Albert Einstein

It was a hot summer day. I was wandering through my milkweeds looking for Monarch Butterfly caterpillars.
When I checked this milkweed plant, I observed an animal I did not expect.

Hone your observation and reasoning skills by carefully examining the photo.

Write your observations. Note as many details as you can.

Hint: Click on the photo - a larger view will open. Use your Back button to return to this page.

Solve the mystery. Identify the animal.

Why do you believe the animal is on this plant?

Is it a problem for a monarch caterpillar that may be on the plant?

Are there any actions an observer should take?

Observation Skills Builders: The First Step in the Scientific Method > 40 activities.