Date: 05/29/2002

Number: 1

Found 5 larva feeding on milkweed,each approx. 1.5 cm long (i.e., several days out of egg. We have removed these leaves to interior location, where we will be raising these caterpillers until they reach adult stage, at which time they will be freed.
On aprox. 2 dozen milkweed plants in our side yard (we live in a residential area, there are approx. 24 eggs, layed by one or two adult females, as they are not all of the same maturity. We will observe until hatching and raise as many as possible.

This has been a yearly project for my daughters and I for about 8 years. Starting with one larva first year, we have raised increasing numbers each year. Last year, we raised 35+ larva over approx. 3 generations through the summer. This is the heaviest first egg batch I have observed to date. I hope we can increase the proportion of eggs that hatch and grow to maturity over the usual odds.

Iowa City, IA

Latitude: 41.7 Longitude: -91.5

Observed by:
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.