Date: 03/08/2005

Number: 1

We live in Central Florida, the orlando area. We have had monarchs breeding
until about Feb. 21st when our last plantings of milkweed ran out. As first
year butterfly garden enthusiasts we were surprised the monarchs never
really stopped breeding. As recently as March 1st they were still emerging,
drying their wings in our wonderful Florida sun. The answer is in part at
least , the monarchs never stop until the milkweed runs out. We have not had
a frost this winter but several nights at 40 or the mid 30s.Our milkweed
will be monarch ready again in about a week, new shoots and leaves are
emerging and today we spotted a monarch checking it out,we have doubled our
milkweed plantings and will plant another 24 plants this weekend, trying to
keep up with the hungry caterpillars. We have the feeling there will never
be enough as each time we increase the milkweed it simply means more
monarchs. We have had gulf frittilaries , sulphurs and swallowtails all
winter as well.In January we counted over 30 fat caterpillars in our garden
and were totally surprised as we understood that with cooler temps the
monarchs would stop.Our garden is a totally southern exposure so that even
on our coolest days you could get a tan in that location quite
comfortably.After each hurricane this past summer it was weird to look at
the devastation on three sides of our house and have your coffee in a
totally untouched butterfly garden with monarchs all around, Since the winds
were northeast or easterly we never lost a leaf in the butterfly garden.As
you can tell we love our monarchs and consider it a privelege to be involved
with them.

Winter Springs, FL

Latitude: 28.7 Longitude: -81.3

Observed by: Jerry
Contact Observer

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