Date: 03/30/2023

Number: 166

Today I did a milkweed survey for monarch eggs and larvae. I looked at 204 milkweed plants (Asclepias viridis) and found a total of 166 eggs and 40 larvae. I am sure I missed some ~ especially the 1st instars and larvae who were off their plants. I did the survey from 11am – 4pm looking at a few of the main milkweed areas. It was a mostly overcast day, near 72 degrees F, very windy, with 80% humidity. That last is because it spritzed misty rain at times throughout the afternoon.

These are the monarch egg count results:

99 milkweed w/0 eggs
69 milkweed w/1 egg
23 milkweed w/2 eggs
8 milkweed w/3 eggs
2 milkweed w/4 eggs
0 milkweed w/5 eggs
2 milkweed w/6 eggs
1 milkweed w/7 eggs

These are the monarch larvae count results:

1st instars: 18
2nd instars: 1
3rd instars: 6
4th instars: 8
5th instars: 7

Note: A portion of the milkweed with 0 or some eggs, also had one or more larvae.

This photo shows two monarch eggs, which were laid today by a wonderful monarch. I was lucky enough to see her lay multiple eggs on this cluster of milkweed plants. I will add her photo to a Monarch Adult Sighted report.

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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