Date: 09/22/2025

Number: 3

I have been checking my milkweed patches regularly for monarch larvae. I had a late laying monarch butterfly this season, so I hoped I would find a late larvae or two. And I did - 3 on this day.

Still, I was surprised when I found this well developed instar 5 larva. Interesting that this mature caterpillar is feasting on an old leaf, turning to red/rust, given there are still green leaves available. I found a smaller, stage 2 or 3 larva on a green leaf on an adjacent flower stalk.

The swamp milkweed has pods, several open and showing off seeds.

And, I discovered another instar 5 larva in my common milkweed patch along my pond berm, feating on a leaf that is still green. Most of the plants sport maturing pods now.

Arcade, NY

Latitude: 42.6 Longitude: -78.4

Observed by: Donna
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