Date: 02/20/2005

Number: 1

Yes, we have had Monarchs over-wintering in my area this winter. I was a
little worried after the Christmas Eve snow that gave us 4 inches of the
white stuff. Sometimes I do not see them for several days, but when the
temperature gets up around 60 or a little more, they come out to flutter
about and stretch their wings. They have been clinging to the queen palms or
Bahamia (orchid tree) in my yard when the temperatures are too low for them
to fly. They are very hungry and stop at all the flowers in my yard. My
Mexican flame vine is a strong attractor, but they also go to zinnias,
marigolds, sage, pentas, - anything blooming for sustenance.On cooler days,
I have seen the caterpillars on my butterfly weed and watched them gradually
go to the chrysalis stage. I do have trouble finding the eggs on the
butterfly weed when it is cooler, but they have to be there or we wouldn't
get the caterpillars. It was around 75 today and I saw at least 6 Monarchs
fluttering around.

Friendswood, TX

Latitude: 29.5 Longitude: -95.2

Observed by: Deborah
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