New to Me

I've only been observing monarch caterpillars for a few years, and this is the first time I've witnessed one eating a seedpod.

And Then There Were Two

Today, after looking for the lone monarch caterpillar I found on one of the butterfly weeds, Asclepias tuberosa (and finding him apparently gone on his "walkabout"), I discovered a second, smaller one on another plant across the yard.  Here's hoping I find even more on the other milkweeds I have.

Finally!

Today, after at least a month of looking for any signs of monarch butterfly caterpillars with no luck, I spotted one while not even looking.  I've seen an adult monarch at the flowers and flitting around the butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) for weeks now.  So, I had high hopes for eggs or larvae.

I did a cursory look for more, but didn't see any...but that doesn't mean they aren't there.

Better Late than Never

For at least a month, I've been searching for monarch caterpillars on all of my milkweeds, but mostly on the blooming butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). I've been disappointed and a bit disillusioned. Last year, I had two monarch larvae--my first ever--and I was thrilled. It was a let down this year...at first I thought I'd lost one or two of the butterfly weeds (luckily they all came up even though one was almost a month late)...then, no caterpillars--until now!

Today, I went out walking the yard, and stopped at the milkweed (the one I'd thought I'd lost...and the one that supported the two caterpillars last year). I was surpised and thrilled to see a rather large monarch larvae--probably 4th or 5th instar (but I'm still learning so I might be wrong). I hadn't seen a single egg nor any tiny caterpilars...however, as I was taking a picture of the one I'd found, I noticed the head of a second one munching the tip of another leaf, but nearly hidden from view as it was on the underside of the leaf.

Here's hoping I find the chrysalis before it ecloses...as last year I only found the empty "skin". Whether I find them or not I'm just happy to know that the monarchs are finding them.

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa

Emerging Evidence

After our two monarch caterpillar got progressively bigger, they disappeared. Because the Argiope aurantia spiders had webs near the butterfly weed, I was just a little concerned that they had become lunch. Some of the good people at my favorite forum (Wildlife Gardeners) told me that it was unlikely as they become more and more toxic the more milkweed they ingest. I was told that they had most likely crawled off to pupate--thanks tineckbone.

I half-heartedly looked for the chrysalises, but soon gave up. Just yesterday, I stumbled across what I quickly realized was the remains of the chrysalis that had enclosed one of the caterpillars. I missed the green gem with the golden dots of the chrysalis, but easily recognized the remains of it. So far, I've only seen the monarch's chrysalis in photographs, but I hope to spot them next year.

I'm thrilled to have spotted this evidence that the caterpillar survived and emerged as an adult monarch butterfly. As bridget1964 says, "If you plant it, they will come." I'm happy to say they did, and I plan to add more milkweeds to the property. Here's hoping to have a lot more butterflies and caterpillars next year.

To be Continued (part two)

I felt pretty sure that the spider would not catch and eat the monarch caterpillar, but thought it was a possibility. I'm trying not to interfere with nature and did nothing to move or protect him.

Later, I went out to take more pictures and to check up on him. For a minute or two I didn't see either of them. Then I spotted one...and a bit later the second one resting comfortably on a leaf.

Here are the latest pictures:








We finally got some rain. This morning I woke up and it was still dark because of the overcast sky. I grabbed the camera and walked out to the butterfly weed. It had rained a little over night. Still groggy and not feeling fully awake, I searched until I finally spotted both larva and took pictures of them as they stayed out of the rain by hanging out upside down on the underside of a leaf.

Later it began to rain again, and we had a slow steady rain most of the day. It was much needed.

I Swear They Doubled in Size Overnight

I went out to take check on the cats (caterpillars) and take more pictures. I swear they doubled in size. The one has to be at least an inch now.

Monarch Caterpillars!

Apparently today was not the first day that the monarchs had been here. While going back to check out the seedpods, I spotted a little monarch caterpillar on the flower buds! I'm elated! This is a first for me, and I thought I'd have to wait until next year for this to happen.

When I went back to take pictures, I noticed a second one too. The first is a little over half an inch, the second just a little bigger. I'm not sure how long it takes from egg to larva, but they have to have been there for a while now.

Butterfly Weed Seedpods

My butterfly weed is starting to make seedpods. The largest one had lots of flowers but no seedpods for the longest time. The one beside it already has a huge, nearly mature seedpod and lots of others approaching maturity.





Now I'm starting to see some seedpods on the largest one. The picture shows how fuzzy/furry it is. I didn't even realize. I'm gonna have to go back out and touch it.



I'm looking forward to collecting more seed and planting them for next year. So far I only have four mature plants. Only three of the five that I bought the first year survived. They were tiny, single stemmed plants and now are very full. I bought another one this spring in a gallon pot and planted one that I grew from seed. Next year, I'm hoping to have tons more to plant.

Monarchs

Today, after telling everyone on Wildlife Gardeners forum that I hadn't seen any monarch butterflies yet this year, I went outside and what did I see? Two monarchs. Not both at the same time, but definitely two different ones, unless the one I saw somehow flew ahead of me without my noticing.

Here is the first one I saw visiting my butterfly weed--which is still blooming--'though not as fully as before. It seems to be sending up a few more flowerbuds from the stems, so hopefully it will provide nectar (and beauty) for a while longer.

Anticipation: The Wait is Over

For the first several days that Ichecked out my butterfly weeds, I saw no butterflies and little activity. Maybe I was just there at the wrong time or didn't stay long enough, but probably it just took the butterflies a while to find it. I only have three plants of the five I put in--plus the one I just added near the house this spring (which is finally in the ground). I have a few that came up from seed and plan to collect and plant more seeds this fall. I'd love this plant clumped and dotted throughout our field.

It is so gratifying to see this beautiful flower being utilized...and polinated by a myriad of insects.