Date: 07/24/2023

Number: 2

We went for a family walk in the evening, at the Water Protection native plant garden. There are several groupings of Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata, along the storm water separation pond, among many other native plants. At the sane time, my husband and I each spotted caterpillars near the tops of the plants and blossoms. The one I saw may have been a 3rd instar and the one my husband saw (pictured here) was probably closer to a 2nd instar. I looked up caterpillar instar sizes at Monarch Watch when we got home, and I'll be ready with these measurements next time we go out! Also while we were admiring the caterpillars, an adult monarch flew in for some nectar at the swamp milkweed but didn't appear to lay any eggs. I didn't see if it was a male or female.

Weather was calm, 88 degrees F, and very humid (dewpoint near 70 degrees F).

St Joseph, MO

Latitude: 39.8 Longitude: -94.8

Observed by: Ann Marie
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