Date: 10/31/2024

Number: 1

This Monarch arrived this morning and is happy to have found some flowers.

We had brought about 174 caterpillars + chrysalids into the greenhouse in late Sep when the milkweeds turned yellow. About 24 were infected with Tachinids and never eclosed. Rest flew away in waves after eclosing. Five flew away on Oct 18th but one large male hung around in the garden. Yesterday the last small (female) flew out and is in the garden. There are at least 12 lush Ascleipas curavassica in the greenhouse but butterflies aren't interested in staying here because of that, as some claim.

Now we have 3 Monarchs nectaring on the remaining flowers. Luckily Centranthus ruber, Tithonia have made new flowers. Self sown Ageratum, lavatera have started blooming. Mexican flame vine is also still making flowers. Solidago candensis, Tatarian aster, Bluebird aster are also in bloom. There are plenty of Salvias and Buddleia Orange Sceptre blooming but butterflies aren't interested.

I am giving the count as 1 because that butterfly didn't grow up in the greenhouse.

Carmel Hamlet, NY

Latitude: 41.4 Longitude: -73.7

Observed by: million
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