Date: 03/30/2025

Number: 15

I have been seeing monarchs here all last week, but there seemed to be a new influx this weekend. There were also several rainy days last week which helped produce some new fresh milkweed sprouts ~ well needed after the March 21 freezing temps which took down some of the original milkweed plants (many with monarch eggs on them). Those plants had only been up for a week before the freeze came.

Today was a good monarch day with temps in the 70's, partly cloudy, with 75% humidity, and light breezes from the S. I observed at least 15 individual monarchs but had many more encounters as I walked about the pastures. Such a joy to have them softly flutter near me. I followed five different female monarchs as they looked for milkweed and egg laid. They were often finding little sprouts that I would not have easily seen in the sea of green grass.

One of these females was chased by a male monarch with the usual aerial spiral upwards ~ and then the female going into the leaves of a small tree. Somehow, she eluded him and they flew off in different directions.

The male monarchs were sailing around patrolling, checking milkweed areas and main nectar spots, nectaring, and sometimes air-tussling with each other or other butterflies. The females sometimes took quick nectar breaks ~ usually sipping from the wild blackberry blossoms that are abundant. They also rested at times deep in the dewy grass.

I saw monarch larvae from 1st to 4th instars as I checked some of the milkweed.

This is a photo of one of the beautiful monarchs as she lays her egg on a just-emerged milkweed sprout (Asclepias viridis). Each monarch I see makes me appreciate so much the importance of their sanctuary forests in Mexico and the people who take care of them.

Montgomery, TX

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -95.8

Observed by: Kathy
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.