Date: 11/09/2020

Number: 1

I was very surprised to see a damaged monarch butterfly just sitting on a small aster plant when I walked down to my perennial garden. Its wings were vey wrinkled, folded and ripped. I don�t think it was a late migrator because it seemed to be missing it�s proboscis and therefore not able to feed. There is absolutely nothing to nectar on anyway as all asters, goldenrod, and other wildflowers have gone to seed.
I think it is one of the last couple of caterpillars that were on milkweed in the garden that disappeared mid September right before I could get them to to bring them inside to help them along. There is a rock pile nearby and the caterpillar could have chose that spot for its chrysalis. Maybe it didn�t leave enough space for itself to its wings to form properly and thus its crumpled wings which could have torn crawling out of the rock pile as it made its way to sit on the plant. Mid to late October had some cold temperatures here in the 30s and nights in the teens. This underscores the slow pace of butterfly development as temperatures get colder. It�s amazing that it eclosed in the first place.
I have had about a week of warm temperatures in the mid 60s and fairly warm nights in the mid 40s now so maybe that pushed it across the finish line to eclose. This is all just my hypothesis but it is my best guess.
Temperature about 65, sunny, very light wind.

Brownfield, ME

Latitude: 43.9 Longitude: -70.9

Observed by: Jaremy
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