Date: 08/29/2018

Number: 2

The last 2 butterflies from our fantastic 2018 Monarch-raising tsunami emerged from their chrysalis' to settle on the foliage of houseplants growing on our covered porch, a protective respite through heavy, misty weather. Both flew this morning when the sky cleared.

Our single 3rd instar caterpillar is munching and resting by turns as it grows. This "only child" gets more attention than its avalanche of numerous predecessors. The late August milkweed plants are tough and brittle. Even fresh sprouts that have poked up through unmowed lawn surrounding the garden are somewhat leathery, perhaps not as palatable to caterpillars as earlier greens. That said, we are trying to select the most toothsome food imaginable for our remaining guest.


We are not sure what to do with this little "late bloomer" as emergence as an adult will probably not take place until very late September after the first frost here in northern Wisconsin. It is possible that, in chrysalis form, it will be transported south with human travelers to finish itself at lower latitudes safe from freezing giving it a head start on the southern migration.

Bayfield, WI

Latitude: 46.8 Longitude: -90.8

Observed by: Kathleen
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