Date: 10/14/2012

Number: 4

We have observed monarch butterflies all throughout summer in our home garden. It rained heavily in the morning. By late afternoon, the sun was out and we observed four monarchs nectaring until dark. One just seemed to rest for the longest time on milkweed flowers. My young daughter was worried about this particular monarch because it's wings looked so pale and it wasn't moving around like the others. When I looked out 10 mins later it was still on the flower; perhaps it was sick or had been soaked in the morning. The monarchs have been nectaring on Blue Mist Flower, native Lantana, Vitex, Autumn Sage, Mexican Bush Sage and Porter Weed. We have leggy, flowering, Mexican milkweed. My daughter collected two 5th instar caterpillars on Friday. We placed them in the habitat with plenty of milkweed. Both were in the j-shape last night. We observed two chrysalides today. One is actually on the milkweed leaf; one is on the roof of the habitat.

The Woodlands, TX

Latitude: 30.2 Longitude: -95.5

Observed by: Grace
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