Date: 03/05/2023

Number: 5

This morning we saw the first monarchs of this season. Always a real joy! At about 10:30am my son spotted a female flying low and then egg-laying on a milkweed. It was sunny, 71 degrees F, 56% humidity, with light breezes from the southwest.

I saw a second female pretty quickly, but continued following the first as she traversed several acres of pastureland looking for milkweed. She found the milkweed I could see and she also found milkweed I would not have spotted (just emerging). I took note that she was only laying 1-2 eggs on each plant she chose. I took this to mean she was happy that there was plenty of milkweed, so she would not need to overload any particular plant. I watched her for about 30 minutes, during which time she diligently searched for and lay eggs on at least 20 plants.

I saw 3 more monarchs in the afternoon flying about as I did outside chores.

We are so happy the monarchs have arrived here from their beloved home in Mexico. There is an abundance of blooming nectar plants available for them, including False Garlic flowers, Wild Blackberry Blossoms, Yellow Thistles, and blooming Mexican Plum trees. Our milkweed has just this last week emerged, so the timing could not be more perfect.

This is a photo of the first monarch sighted here this season as she lays an egg on an Asclepias viridis milkweed sprout.

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
Contact Observer

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