Date: 04/21/2024

Number: 3

I saw 3 female monarchs today. One had bright intact wings, the other two had faded and tattery-edged wings. At 11:15am it was 60 degrees F, partly cloudy, 67% humidity, and strong winds from the N. Yesterday there had been a cool front bringing 2 inches of rain ~ the grass wet and the ground soggy. I saw this monarch nectaring on a flowering milkweed (Asclepias viridis). She also did an lot of sunbathing, but no egg-laying. She may be of the first generation.


Later, at 2:15pm it had warmed to 65 degrees F. I saw a female monarch egg-laying in our back yard (with faded, tattery wings). She also rested and sunbathed in the grass. I checked and there indeed were eggs on the milkweed where she had been.

In another meadow I observed a female monarch flying near milkweed and prairie plantains, but she seemed most intent on sunning in the grass and on nearby grapevines. She also had faded, tattery-edged wings.

There are still some monarch eggs and larvae on the milkweed (1st- 5th instars).

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
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