Date: 08/18/2012

Number: 1

Tons of larva: Let's call them Monarch Cats (caterpillars), It's much more cute, and they are! Take a few moments to watch them and you'll see that they are loaded with personality.
I have several crysalis which are a beautiful celadon color decorated with gold (You'll swear they are oriental ceramic decorations). Some are aleady empty. One "cat" hanging in the "J" shape ready to transform.
I am eagerly awaiting the birthing of butterflies.
Not as many flying Monarchs at this time, just a handful. But they are active flying from trees down to garden and back up to the branches. Some have aging wings but a few are new and perfect. The garden: The Butterfly bushes (buddleia) are still reliably going strong,the purple Coneflower (Echinacea)still stunning, as is the Rudbeckia.
The Marsh Milkweed (Incarnata) is seeding, the Common Milkweed (asclepias syriaca) is speading beautifully and is being eaten by hungry "cats". You can tell that there's Monarch cats when you see the brown droppings on the bigger bottom leaves.
PS: Put paper bags secured with small rubber bands over the milkweed pods when they look ripe and ready to burst their seeds. Plant your collected seed in prepared garden spot so you can control and increase your plantings. Or give them to a neighbor and hook them on the wonder and beauty of these graceful creatures!

Neptune, NJ

Latitude: 40.2 Longitude: -74.1

Observed by: Lorraine
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