I also found several more cloudless sulphur cats on the partridge peas, which are continuing to make more blossoms. The Mama sulphurs must be laying the eggs on the flowers, because they're pure yellow -

I don't think I'm going to bring any of these cats in to raise myself. We're going on a trip to Virginia in a couple of weeks, so I won't be here to do the work or release them. My daughter will be here, but she works, and she's not into raising cats. Here's hoping they can make it on their own!

Sherry

We aren't seeing a large migration this year, since the Monarchs (most) are following the eastern flyway along the coast. The drought has not affected them as much as us. I am so ready for some good rain.

Susan

I personally am glad they seek out the region with the most available nectar plants because right now nectar plants in the central USA have dried up, died, gone dormant, or have limited nectar available due to the drought.

Susan

I think a lot of these will be able to pupate and reach adulthood, since I haven't been seeing any wasps lately - YAY!!

Sherry

I am finding more Gulf Frit cats in the garden, which means either the wasps or other predators aren't as plentiful right now. Did you have larger numbers of predators this year, like we did? We attributed the increased numbers to a longer spring - beginning around late February instead of late March, milder winter, etc.

Everyday I go out and find a few more Gulf Frits and/or Variegated Frits. The GFs are still here laying eggs, for Pete's sake. I've seen Buckeyes, American and Painted Ladies, Monarchs, Dainty Sulphurs, lots of Gray Hairsteaks, Skippers, but not much else. Still better than last year.

Susan

I ended up with a final batch of 54 because of two potted tropical plants...There is going to be a mass hatching over the next couple days as most of the chrysalises are getting dark. It's going to be 76 degrees on Wednesday and only 52 on Thursday! I will probably have one left when the cold snap hits (and only because the poor cat got lost for a day and a half and had nothing to eat!) Be on the lookout for some Minnesota monarchs! Tony :)

You've really got a lot of monarchs, Tony! I don't think there were nearly 54 cats on my plants, more like ?30 or so.
It rained a lot for two days here, then we got a cold front. I opened my window last night and slept better than I have in a long time - it got down to 61 glorious degrees! Where you are is like another world, though - I can't imagine what a Minnesota winter must be like. I'm told I don't want to know! :)

Rickinla, your cat looks just like mine looked when I first found them, so I guess they hit lower Alabama about the same time they got here. Are you in the Mobile area?

There are only a few cats left on the milkweed. I found one pupating yesterday, and it looks like it just made the transition -

Sherry

Sherry