Date: 01/31/2011

Number: 1

The milkweed which I have in my garden outside is just now producing leaves at ground level (3/10/11). They froze back in the February freezing weather we had. Before the freezing weather local Monarchs had laid about a dozen or more eggs on the leaves in late January (estimating date as 1/31/11) and I found a dozen or so larva soon afterward. After the freezing weather in early February the milkweed plants died but the larva survived, but no food available. I found a few plants at a local nursery which were stored in their heated hothouse. I was able to save 3 larva but only one survived to form a chrysalis. It emerged about 2 weeks ago and was a healthy boy. I placed these pot plants back outside recently now that the weather is well above freezing. They began growing leaves again and guess what. This morning (3/10/11) I was astonished to see a lone female laying eggs on the plants. However now I not sure if this is a local monarch or an early bird from Mexico. The plants in the wild are just now recovering from the February freezes as evidenced from my garden so if the Mexican monarchs are arriving early they wont have much food this far North. However, local Nurseries may have milkweed now.

League City, TX

Latitude: 29.5 Longitude: -95.1

Observed by: John
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