The large butterflies are finally showing up in my backyard. We’ve also seen many Yellow Swallowtails on daytrips as we drive toward the ocean shoreline. I am relieved. They are late, but they are here. Today I saw two Yellow Swallowtails, the largest butterfly in this area, on my butterfly bush at the same time.
Late last week, a bronze Monarch laid eggs on the underside of Milkweed leaves as I watched. Today, I went in search of the small dome-like eggs and marked each leaf with a string when I found one. I know the small caterpillars are poisonous, but that does not stop other insects from eating them. Ants, mantids, wasps, spiders are a few of the insects that will eat Monarch caterpillars. You can find solutions for combatting this problem on the Monarch Butterfly Garden site.
This caterpillar decided to form its chrysalis almost on top of another chrysalis. This is a view of the top corner of the smaller butterfly house.
I’m encouraged that the big butterflies are returning. I am peering out the windows constantly, camera ready, prepared to instantly run out in the yard to record their arrival and feeding.
Thank you for another interesting post and your assistance for our marvelous winged creatures.
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Thanks Janie, I hope you are having a great summer.
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Interesting post. I counted 7 monarch caterpillars on my milkweed. I think the birds ate 6 of them. There was one chrysalis but a hail storm destroyed it. It was so disappointing. I started growing milkweed 5 years ago and this was the first time seeing that many monarch caterpillars.
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I don’t have any caterpillars yet. The Monarchs seem very late this year, and I am still seeing very few. This makes the small eggs even more important to me. I’m on my way back out in a few minutes to place string on a few more leaves that have eggs. As soon as I see the caterpillars I will bring them in. Today, I was also reminded that the caterpillars are at risk. I saw a Black Swallowtail cat, but something had pierced its back. I brought it into the butterfly house, but I don’t think it is going to make it.
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This gave me a better idea of what you have doing to support your local butterfly population, thank you
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Right now, sitting on the porch, watching a big yellow butterfly on the nectar plants I grow. It is a real summer joy.
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