Date: 03/13/2001

Number: 1

I just inspected my
garden and found that not only is the native antelope horn milkweed
budding, but the Mexican milkweed is now emerging from the ground (these
plants were killed back this winter due to the cold). No monarchs seen,
but that is good. Not much for them to nectar on: all of our lantanas
were killed back, but they now are putting forth new leaves. However,
dewberrires are blooming and they could provide food. Azaleas are in
full bloom, but most butterflies don't use them. So, I hope the monarchs
do not show up for another week or so. Temps. today will exceed 70
degrees and that should really be a good spark for plants to get moving!
New Orleans escaped this winter with probably only one or two nights just
at or slightly below freezing and so butterflies and caterpillars
survived there a bit better than here in Baton Rouge (which had probably
4-5 nights below freezing, but only to 28 degrees or so). Most of our
cold weather was in December. February

Baton Rouge, LA

Latitude: 30.4 Longitude: -91.2

Observed by:
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