I've had tigers (light phase) and skippers, but no monarchs yet. Isn't it great to see butterflies again?
kay

March 31 the milkweed was about a foot tall when I spied the first cat.

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Today all three plants were practically stripped clean and this is what I saw on one...

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Awesome picture with all the caterpillers. I get them as I have milkweeds too but they don't last in my yard. As soon as the Caterpiller gets big enough for me to notice, give it a day or two and they are gone. I am sure that means some backyard bird here had them for lunch.

I've watched cardinals make a lunch of swallowtail cats. Sad, but that's nature.

Last night I moved a couple cats to a smaller patch of milkweed in the veggie garden and they're still munching away today. This morning I discovered the other cats found some hidden milkweed under the Mexican flame vines. Hopefully that'll provide enough food until they pupate.