Date: 10/14/2014

Number: 10

saw ten plus individuals roosting on large, fragrant bush

It was late afternoon when I saw them roosting...probably after 4 pm central time in an undeveloped field next to our local dog park. The plant they are roosting on is called Baccharis neglecta "False Willow" and typically, blooms August through October. It is a very fragrant plant and seems to attract many different pollinators including butterflies and bees.

Last October is when I first noticed Monarchs roosting on them so I tried to remember to check them this year. These plants are not usually found in residential landscapes - mostly in abandoned lots, fields, and along forest edges. I have seen monarchs very late in the day on these same plants in different areas, so I think it would be safe to say they have roosted there all night. This year seems to be a very good year for monarchs. It seems there have been more migrating this year than years past.

Another observation is I am not finding as many larvae as I have before. I have an organic rest stop for them featuring tropical milkweed, zinnias, mexican bush sage, echinacea, rudbeckia, salvias, lemon verbena, almond verbena, and hyacinth bean vine. I do not use any chemicals in the garden. Hopefully, the larvae are just hiding.

Lewisville, TX

Latitude: 33 Longitude: -97

Observed by: Laura
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