Date: 05/21/2015

Number: 1

While moving plants out of the greenhouse this morning, a familiar shadow passed by the open greenhouse door. I looked out the door to confirm my hunch and, sure enough, it was a female monarch that was moving among the potted and planted milkweeds on the south side of the greenhouse. She quickly disappeared but I did see her lay an egg. I returned to the greenhouse and continued moving plants. A few minutes later she flew through the open door directly to milkweeds that had yet to be moved and proceeded to go through egg-laying motions again. I decided to catch her but didn't have a net. I tried to catch her by hand but my clumsy attempt caused her to fly to the window. Fortunately, I was able to pin her to the window without injuring her. As you can see from the image, she is of medium size and quite fresh yet has a few scratches perhaps indicative of brushes with vegetation.

This female, or perhaps another, was seen by several Master Gardeners who were working in the garden this morning. She was evidently attracted to, and laying eggs on, common milkweed. I'll have to look for eggs later.

It's sunny but cool, only 62F.

Courtesy of Monarch Watch

Lawrence, KS

Latitude: 39 Longitude: -95.2

Observed by:
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