Date: 05/09/2008

Number: 1

In Austin, rain is average now, due to early winter and late spring rains with dry in between. Different milkweed species have looked good all spring. Asperula is going to seed now. Seen virdis and oenotheroides in good health for two months. Tuberosa, texana, and reticulata in my way station were up and ready for visitors. (I know others report reticulata, pearl milk vine, being used, but I have never observed an egg or cat. on it.)

I saw a few faded monarchs earlier in the spring, but it has been weeks now.

Here is the kicker: I have not seen a single egg, caterpillar, nor chew marks on a single milkweed this year! I have been out and about in the Austin area, in customer's gardens, along road sides, and on field trips to natural areas, but nada, nothing, not a single sign of the next generation!

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Austin, TX

Latitude: 30.2 Longitude: -97.7

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