Date: 10/13/2009

Number: 1

Today I sent my last monarch on his way, risking incredible odds. He is a caterpillar I found just a month ago on a milkweed, and he spent 3 weeks in pupae, even though inside the house, as we have had very chilly weather here in Illinois. He emerged very healthy on Oct. 11. Because the weather was so cold (44 as a high! ) and rainy, I held him in the tent for 2 days until today . It was sunny for awhile,but only 45 degrees, so after a meal of fruit juice, he was released and spent an hour on a leaf fanning his wings in the sun.
Then on 4 wings and a prayer he was gone. Being that we have highs of only 45 degrees this week, and rain, it will be a miracle if he ever makes it to Mexico,or even out of town, but who knows.
I considered keeping him through the week, but he was fluttering about so much, and I decided to let nature take its course.
I wonder why some females lay eggs so late in the season.
Does anyone have experience keeping a late season monarch in captivity? How long do they live if fed every day?
Thanks, Sheree

La Grange Park,, IL

Latitude: 41.8 Longitude: -87.9

Observed by: Sheree
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