Date: 03/06/2023

Number: 20

Two monarch females were laying eggs on my recently sprouted tropical milkweed. I Observed several eggs.

[Contacted observer for more information about this observation; additional information contributed by observer, added by Journey North, 03/16/2023]:

I am positive that was a faded and somewhat tattered female Monarch and she was laying eggs on the Tropical Milkweed I planted three years ago that keeps coming back tho normal a little later in the year. There may have been two females, one seemed a little brighter. I watched her/them for three days.

Yes, they typically lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves but since I only had a few plants sprouted she kept returning and looking and looking for somewhere to lay her eggs. It was easier to take a picture, not having to turn the leaf over. I have observed them laying eggs on the tiniest bud of a new leaf forming after a previous caterpillars ate every leaf on a the plant, on milkweed flower buds and mostly under the leaf but when space is a premium I have seen them put an egg on top. If it would help I can choose a leaf with an egg on the underside and take a picture of the egg as there are several out there.

I have been raising milkweed and Monarch’s for the past 5 years. I have a degree in Biology and a minor in Zoology. I’d bet my life that was a Monarch and Tropical Milkweed.

The Tropical Milkweed sprouted very very early for our area, but thank God because the Monarch(s) showed up very very early as well.

Loris, SC

Latitude: 34 Longitude: -79

Observed by: Terri
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