Date: 05/05/2021

Number: 9

Monarch Waystation #271 reports the first monarch 2nd instar larvae seen on several milkweeds growing in the front and back beds. Photo shows two larvae on a front bed Purple milkweed, one of which was just finishing its shed into the 2nd instar. Four larvae were photographed on front Purple milkweeds, but there were more of these milkweeds with 2 larvae each in the bed that I didn't keep note of. The number of larvae reported here is a minimum. In the back bed a swamp milkweed had 2 larvae, and a small sprout that was most likely a common milkweed had 3 larvae [Young sprouts of common and purple milkweeds highly resemble each other until they get past 6-8 inches tall]. Did not do a diligent search for larvae. Many milkweeds [reported previously with new eggs] had small holes chewed in leaves but were not counted, not all chewed leaves were checked, no more larvae obvious. Ants or wasps may have made off with some eggs or larvae [ respectively], or larvae were molting out of sight on other plants.

Newport News, VA

Latitude: 37.1 Longitude: -76.5

Observed by: Judy
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