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learned something new
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Posted by tdogmom z9/10 SoCal (My Page) on Wed, Nov 4, 09 at 8:30
| If you want to REALLY notice the total destruction (tee-hee!) of your Milkweed patch, go out at 5 a.m. with a high-powered flashlight and you will catch the little buggers in full action!
I did not realize just how MANY Monarch larvae were IN the patch until this morning when I went to collect some leaves for the few I am raising indoors. I knew there were a few of the 'big guys' out there because I'd seen four of 'em the other morning and I said, "Okay, since you haven't been eaten by the wasps and you guys are all healthy (I'd already plucked the one who didn't look so good) you can have at it au naturel." WELL, it appears they ALL decided to come out of hiding today. Sheesh! One entire area had nary a leaf to be seen. A total shock to MY system, to be sure. ;) For me, this is definitely a FIRST...hehehe Must be all those stealth Monarchs out and about again, I tell you! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: learned something new
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| ...only nocturnal CalSherry, huh? Hee hee! I find them mostly early morning and evening. Seems they do like to hide out during normal daytime hours. And sometimes it does seem like they just "show up" suddenly as 2nd or later instar cats (I coulda sworn I checked every inch of that plant!). Have you got lots of curassavica seeds? Susan |
RE: learned something new
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| I call it the magic eye game, because if you stare long enough you'll eventually see one. I always marvel when I find a "big" one on a plant I've looked at 50 times today!! |
RE: learned something new
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| I had picked some milkweed stalks from my nearby cemetery to feed my monarch cats that were close to pupating. When they did, I left the remaining stalks outside in a vase of water. About a week later my husband noticed two, fully matured monarch cats on the stalks in the vase...LOL. I guess I missed those eggs and they hatched and grew outside. Sweeeet! |
RE: learned something new
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| WELLLLL...as I was out and about today, I was checking my depleted Milkweed Patch and noticed that there were two HUMONGOUS 5th instar larvae munching some seed pods. It got me thinking, "If a Monarch eats a seed pod, would it become a BIGGER caterpillar?" I wondered because these two were the biggest caterpillars I've ever seen! I mean, they looked like they were on steroids or something. Truly odd. I was in between working so I didn't go and get the camera (dang) but thought I probably should have because later I didn't see either. I did spot another big guy who had taken off to obviously look for a pupating spot though. As much as I don't like bringing in caterpillars found outdoors, I did bring in some 2nd instars. I swear, I have never seen the likes of what has occurred in my garden this past week. It is weird, to be sure. It isn't even like I've seen butterflies around ovipositing! Even hubby hadn't seen any so this is why I am so flummoxed. Oh, DH did see what he said was the prettiest Hairstreak today. I saw a number of other butterflies around. It felt like fall/autumn here. Bummer. I much prefer the warm weather... |
RE: learned something new
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| Yes, but I wud exchange our winters for yours. LOL! CalSherry, I swear I had BSTs on steroids this summner. The ones that grew (heehee) on my backyard Rue were the biggest cats I had seen ever!!! They were the size of cigars! They stripped the Rue patch clean for sure. I think you truly have grown up a butterfly hubby when he can recognize a hairstreak now! Sus |
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