Date: 05/24/2010

Number: 1

A week ago Monday (May 24)I saw the first eggs and later saw a female laying. Last week was warm, so by Friday there were several first instar caterpillars. I spotted 9 on the grape vine milkweeds. I have continued to see eggs and larva in various locations. I now have 2nd instars, I believe. One of my best milkweed patches hasn't had many eggs so far. And I haven't seen Monarchs since about Wednesday or Thursday of last week (May 27). There are a few new eggs so there are butterflies around, though. My milkweed transplants are doing okay. Tried to get as much root as I could.......the young plants are very fragile, but it seems like if I get enough root, the transplant often succeeds. So far looks like a good year.........way,way,way better than last year. Weather has been phenomenal. (Partridge and birds on nests are having good success hatching, too, I believe)............
Let's hope the good news continues.

Osceola, WI

Latitude: 45.3 Longitude: -92.7

Observed by: Pat
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