Date: 10/02/2023

Number: 1

My husband saw a monarch flying over the pasture. When he told me, I went out looking hoping to see it as well (late afternoon). Instead, I found this large monarch caterpillar (5th instar) munching on an Asclepias viridis milkweed. So there must have been a monarch butterfly visit here in September.

This summer was exceptionally hot and dry. The milkweed plants made it through, providing support for other butterflies, bees, and beetles. In the height of the drought, the milkweed plants were miniaturized versions of their usual selves.

I saw this particular caterpillar on his milkweed for the following two days. Hopefully after that he was ready to form a chrysalis.

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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