Critical Habitat
Habitat in Texas and neighboring states is critical now for monarch reproduction.
"No signs of milkweed growth at this point. Last year at this time we had 1"-3" Asclepias asperula in good numbers, with some in the 5"-6" range. This year's freezes definitely had an impact on things. Hopefully that also means a reduction in tachinid flies." Chuck Patterson Driftwood, Texas March 17, 2014
In central Texas, Gregg Lee photographed Asclepias asperula on March 17th. This is the only milkweed species that emerges early enough for the beginning of spring migration at this latitude, he says, where first monarchs normally arrive near the end of March.
