Date: 08/18/2012

Number: 1

My first Monarch Butterfly sighting was on June 30. This was 12-15 days earlier than usual. There were only 2-3 a day for the first few weeks. I never saw more than 5 at any one time. This summer has been unusually hot and dry. Within two weeks I was finding many eggs and caterpillars from newly hatched to 1.75 inches long. I collected/fed caterpillars in my bug tent. I had many chrysalis formed. I also saw many caterpillars set up and just as they were to split their skin would stretch out and die hanging straight down. I had about 15 caterpillars do this. Is there a parasite of some sort? These caterpillars looked fine...no outward irregularities.
I have continued through July/August collecting caterpillars with fewer dying. I have sent off more than 30 caterpillars. There were more females in the beginning with more males lately. I did not buy tags this year but will be more organized next year.

Colton, NY

Latitude: 44.3 Longitude: -74.8

Observed by: Christine
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