3 more Monarch cats...

10 years ago

I just got back from checking on my little cat over at the job, and decided to check for more hatching eggs on the Milkweed. I found a #2 instar I missed from the first fly thru and two newly hatched cats. I immediately picked a top off a nearby mw and transferred them both onto it c a sharpened pencil. They are now all happily feasting alongside my #3 on common mw.
All my little ones at home, 4 in all, are doing fine and just entered #2 instars. I changed their mw and goaded them onto it c a toothpick. They get easier to work with as they get older.
Each mw sprig is mounted in moist floral foam on a clay saucer and covered c a wide glass vase. All four are munching on Swamp mw.

Comments (8)

bandjzmom
10 years ago
Neato!!! Congrats on the find. :o)
cghpnd
10 years ago
Hooray! !! Congratulations.
Related Professionals
Salem Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Waterbury Landscape Contractors · Ashburn Landscape Contractors · East Lake-Orient Park Landscape Contractors · Fishers Landscape Contractors · Mission Viejo Landscape Contractors · Paramus Landscape Contractors · Shirley Landscape Contractors · North Aurora Landscape Contractors · Cherry Hill Fence Contractors · Libertyville Fence Contractors · Ponte Vedra Beach Fence Contractors · Wichita Window Contractors · Estero Window Contractors · Santa Cruz Window Contractors
butterflymomok
10 years ago
It's always good to hear that someone has Monach cats, especially this year when they seem really rare. Enjoy!

Sandy
Leafhead
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you all for all the congrats and well wishes:)
Grand total as it stands... 13 between my private garden and my job site gardens:-D. I found 5 more little hatchlings when I got home, just happened to see telltale damage on my incarnatas.
I have yet to see a Monarch in flight, including the ELFs that laid these eggs. I did however, see an American Lady at both gardens. I think I'm going to have a butterfly season after all, and there will be 13 more of these rare beauties for the long trip home.
Not to mention all the ALs
Mary Leek
10 years ago
John,

So glad to hear you have babies to raise. I hope mama Monarch continues to leave you lots of eggs.

There have been so few sightings this year. I keep checking the Monarch Watch map and there aren't many dots on it so far this season.

Mary
docmom_gw
10 years ago
You've inspired me to take another walk down to the unmowed field on my road. I've not seen or heard of much/any Monarch activity in Michigan. But, someone has to be the first to find them, right? We've had a ton of rain this spring, but there have been plenty of sunny stretches, as well. Everything is certainly green and healthy.

Keep up the good work!

Martha
Leafhead
Original Author
10 years ago
Hope you are visited soon:) Maybe one of mine will make it up your way...
terrene
10 years ago
Congrats on your babies! I've got 4 BST cats but no Monarchs yet.

According to Journey north, they have been sighted in the northeast. i haven't seen any yet, but maybe I should check out the (fairly) large wild patches about a mile down the street. We've had tons of rain in the past few week, which may not be their preferred weather, but it has made everything green and lush. My common milkweed is 2-3 feet tall and budding. There is plenty of food for them here.