Date: 04/07/2024

Number: 12

I went out walking from 11:00 am to 12 noon. It was 76 degrees F, mostly cloudy, 70% humidity, with soft breezes from the NW. At that time I observed 11 individual monarchs (6 females, 5 males). The females were actively seeking milkweed and laying eggs. They also nectared from milkweed flowers and often rested/sunbathed. The grass was very dewy. The males were flying about and nectaring from milkweed blossoms, yellow thistles, and one from wild sweet pea flowers.

Later at 2pm when I went out I saw multiple females and 6 males ~ patrolling, nectaring, sunbathing, and a bit of aerial tussling with each other (nothing serious). In addition, I saw a mated pair and will add their photo to a Monarch (OTHER Observation) report.

The native milkweed (Asclepias viridis) is doing very well and more new fresh growth is occurring. Many of the milkweed plants are flowering, providing additional nectar for the monarchs, honeybees, bumblebees, beetles, and other butterflies.

There continue to be monarch eggs and larvae on the milkweed (now from 1st to 5th instars).

This is one of the monarch females that I observed this morning. She has quite faded wings with tattered edges. Here she is seen laying one of her eggs in the bud crown of a newly emerged milkweed. A lovely, gentle creature in harmony with this peaceful morning.

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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