Of my 20+ chrysalides, 5 have eclosed, and all have appeared to be female. I assume that pheromone gland spot on the males is visible as soon as they eclose. Anyway, I've got 5 lonely girls hanging out on my bush waiting for a handsome guy, or any old guy, to make their dreams come true. They'll probably have to keep waiting until the temps rise above 50F and any nearby males can actually move.

I've got 2 or three more ready to eclose imminently. I hope I get at least one male. But, I guess it doesn't make a big difference in the long run. Some days I get really down and worry that this will be my last Monarch brood ever. Even if that is so, I try to remind myself that my garden is still a sanctuary for all kinds of other critical pollinators, and I continue to make plans for expansion of my native plant collections.

Martha