Date: 08/30/2008

Number: 1

I seem to have caterpillars on my swamp milkweed more than the roadside milkweed. The monarch caterpillars are dying. Some form the J position, the end turns black, dries up and turns to black tar. Some are dying on my plants. I have had a number of chrysalises, turn dark and that's it. No monarch. Fewer monarchs are in my gardens than 2007. We had our ridge sprayed for gypsy moths in the spring. Could that be the problem. We have had enough rain this summer until lately. Could that be the problem? Something is wrong with the monarch and butterflies in general. I have observed fewer.

McClure, PA

Latitude: 40.7 Longitude: -77.4

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