Date: 08/29/2020

Number: 81

I found my first eggs around 3/25 and the last ones around the end of July. In total, 57 were successfully raised and released. The last 10 were raised on a combination of milkweed and organic butternut squash. The last 10 were released between 8/22 and 8/29.

Of those that were not raised successfully, the first 9 5th instars managed to escape the enclosure at pupation and I don't know what happened to them. 1 4th instar fell off the plant and got stepped on :(. 1 5th instar escaped and pupated outside of the enclose but was parasitized and did not complete pupation. 10 chrysalids did not survive the July heat wave. 1 that survived but got stuck in the chrysalid during eclosure. I was able to free it using forceps but it was badly deformed and the wings never expanded. I was able to sustain it on honey water for a couple of days in a pot of nectar flowers, but something eventually ate it. 2 other butterflies managed to eclose during the heat wave but died withing 3 hours before I could free them from the eclosure. All butterflies that died were raised on Asclepias physocarpa purchased from a native nursery in Simi Valley. It appears that they succumbed to a combination of heat and Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, so I suspect these plants were infected. Since I do not have enough milkweed to support more caterpillars at this time, I have enclosed the plants (all are potted) in a mesh cage to prevent egg laying. Looking forward to next spring!

West Hills, CA

Latitude: 34.2 Longitude: -118.6

Observed by: Roma
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.