Date: 08/24/2011

Number: 5

This year my milkweed bloomed and it has been a frenzy of caterpillars and adults since the end of July. I counted over a dozen caterpillars in various stages of growth on the plants in one day. More and more adults are appearing and drinking nectar from the milk weed. I am also seeing a large number of mourning cloaks this year over a dozen in just a couple of days. They too are hanging around the milkweed as well as the cone flowers.I am looking at 3 beautiful adults right now outside my window. Todays date is 8/26/11. I haven't found any chrysalis outside but have three in a butterfly habitat in the house. I think they are emerging out of the red pine tree next to the flower garden but I can't find any chrysalis. Adults are everywhere in the yard and different sizes 2, 3 and 3 1/2 inch wing spans. Maybe larger? I still see a caterpillar on the milkweed now. Yesterday there were 3 big ones, the day before that 5 were sighted. In total I would say that over two dozen monarch caterpillars fed on my milk weed this year.

Hibbing, MN

Latitude: 47.4 Longitude: -93

Observed by: Anne
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