Date: 04/27/2014

Number: 1

While working to expand my butterfly garden, I was surprised to see a beautiful monarch fluttering around my milkweed. I had been told that this particular butterfly milkweed is not their favorite because it has the 'colorless milk'. I ran to get my camera in hopes of getting a good picture. She moved very quickly darting around playfully while laying eggs on my (somewhat small at this point) milkweed.

On May 1st I was my first egg and on May 9th I discover many caterpillars. Since I had never raised butterflies before, I immediately called a friend of mine who had just released 5. She invited me over to take a look at her setup. I went the following day and talked with her for over an hour. The same day, my husband bought an aquarium with a screen top. We collected 9 caterpillars the following afternoon and 6 more the next day. Two died almost immediately but since a ladybug was attached to 1 when I found it, I was not surprised.

As I write this I have 10 huge caterpillars that should start to pupate at any moment. I can't tell you how excited I am to watch the life cycles up close and personal. It's an experience I will never forget and hope to repeat many times. It is truly a miracle.

Fountain Inn, SC

Latitude: 34.6 Longitude: -82.3

Observed by: Faye
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