Date: 09/16/2020

Number: 1

While checking out my swamp milkweed, my friend spotted a 2 inch long monarch larva feasting on the upper leaves of this milkweed. I was surprised as I thought I would not find any more larvae.

Because the nights and days are cooling down, I have brought this larva inside to raise. It will more likely not develop in time to make the migration, but a lot depends on the weather, I think

Right now, I have two chrysalids hanging in one of my rearing cages, This AM, one, I noticed has turned black, so I expect to be releasing the butterfly, if the day is sunny, tomorrow.

And now with this late larva I just found, I have two late ones. Both will be very late for the migration.

And, on September 12, I gave one late larva and one chrysalis to my friend to keep. She reported that the larva transformed already to a chrysalis. So, now she will just wait and watch for the butterfly birthdays! This will her first experience. She will share this experience with her grand children.

I have started the habit of only raising a few larvae I find in September, and I make sure they are not raised in cages with the chrysalids, in case a butterfly is infected with OE.

Arcade, NY

Latitude: 42.6 Longitude: -78.4

Observed by: Donna
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