Date: 09/20/2018

Number: 12

I have 2 types of Swamp Milkweed A. incarnata. The first “Cinderella” comes up and blooms early with thinner leaves and is the the favored for egg laying. The second is just now in its glory drawing in many different pollinators especially monarchs. I’m grateful for its sturdier leaves available for the caterpillars since Cinderella is nearly spent. There are still plenty of different blooming varieties for the monarchs to choose from. But the milkweeds and zinnias are getting most of the action. I was happy to release 2 more monarchs this morning. Hopefully with more to look forward to. Tachinid flies have really devastated my average success rate this year. But instead of bringing in fresh eggs to raise I’m participating in Project Monarch Health and only rearing older larvae. They don’t come inside until they’re larger 4th or 5th instars. It’s been hard to watch eggs disappearing and caterpillars being eaten by stink bugs, or devastated by tachinid flies that lay in wait. But it’s moments like I enjoyed watching the pictured beautiful male finally master his proboscus and get his first meal, then stay around to explore my garden and check out all the ladies that make the disappointments worth it.

Elsmere, KY

Latitude: 39 Longitude: -84.6

Observed by: Jypsi
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