Date: 05/09/2008

Number: 1

I have seen 3 Monarchs this past week...and it is evident that they have deposited eggs in desperation. The milkweed ( only three plants of common) is now about 3.5 inches high and laden with eggs. Yesterday I began picking up eggs that had been deposited close to the stems of baby milkweed but on the mulch. I took tweezers and transported bits of mulch with attached egg and gently placed them between the still tightly closed leaves of the budding milkweed.
In my own desperation, I drove around the area where I harvested common milkweed last summer. I found old stalks with empty pods still clinging to some of them...but NO sign of new growth anywhere. Groan!

I am concerned the milkweed will be eaten to the ground before it can really mature to any size that will support the numbers of instars that will hatch. And that means the domino effect will kick in...leaving us short on Monarch food later this spring and summer.

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Lake Geneva, WI

Latitude: 42.6 Longitude: -88.5

Observed by:
Contact Observer

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