Monarch on red salvia DSC_2834
The beginning of butterfly season is off to an incredible start. So far in 2017, I have been able to raise and release 109 of these beauties. There are a lot of chrysalis in protective custody waiting to eclose but I can't say how many because I have lost count. I am down to 27 caterpillars munching on milkweed and 7 eggs. There are a lot more eggs that could be collected but the indoor milkweed must recover so I can feed them when they hatch.
From Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly
The monarch butterfly or simply monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae) in the family Nymphalidae. Other common names depending on region include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black veined brown.[3] It may be the most familiar North American butterfly, and is considered an iconic pollinator species.[4] Its wings feature an easily recognizable black, orange, and white pattern, with a wingspan of 8.9–10.2 cm ( 3 1⁄2–4 in)[5] The viceroy butterfly is similar in color and pattern, but is markedly smaller and has an extra black stripe across each hindwing.
The eastern North American monarch population is notable for its annual southward late-summer/autumn migration from the northern and central United States and southern Canada to Florida and Mexico. During the fall migration, monarchs cover thousands of miles, with a corresponding multi-generational return north. The western North American population of monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains often migrates to sites in southern California but has been found in overwintering Mexican sites as well.[6][7] Monarchs were transported to the International Space Station and were bred there.[8]
Monarch on red salvia DSC_2834
The beginning of butterfly season is off to an incredible start. So far in 2017, I have been able to raise and release 109 of these beauties. There are a lot of chrysalis in protective custody waiting to eclose but I can't say how many because I have lost count. I am down to 27 caterpillars munching on milkweed and 7 eggs. There are a lot more eggs that could be collected but the indoor milkweed must recover so I can feed them when they hatch.
From Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly
The monarch butterfly or simply monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae) in the family Nymphalidae. Other common names depending on region include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black veined brown.[3] It may be the most familiar North American butterfly, and is considered an iconic pollinator species.[4] Its wings feature an easily recognizable black, orange, and white pattern, with a wingspan of 8.9–10.2 cm ( 3 1⁄2–4 in)[5] The viceroy butterfly is similar in color and pattern, but is markedly smaller and has an extra black stripe across each hindwing.
The eastern North American monarch population is notable for its annual southward late-summer/autumn migration from the northern and central United States and southern Canada to Florida and Mexico. During the fall migration, monarchs cover thousands of miles, with a corresponding multi-generational return north. The western North American population of monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains often migrates to sites in southern California but has been found in overwintering Mexican sites as well.[6][7] Monarchs were transported to the International Space Station and were bred there.[8]