Milkweed works!

[disuhan]

My property is in its first season as a native garden and I have one flowering Asclepias incarnata that I wasn't expecting blooms from until next year.
I was surprised and elated when I found a monarch caterpillar on it on 8/4. I tracked his growth and took a picture every day. A couple days later I noticed a second VERY small monarch cat, but that one fell victim to a spider (I saw the carnage). But the larger one was still going strong. Here he is on 8/9:


He sadly disappeared on 8/13. I was very upset by this - I really wanted to be able to watch him grow and transform. But when I went to get the mail this afternoon, I was treated to a nice photo session with this guy:


Maybe she(?) laid an egg? Maybe there will be another caterpillar after all? Even if there are no more, I'm so happy that my native garden is already attracting species so quickly in such an urban/suburban area!

[NEWisc]

It is a joy to see these kinds of things happen isn't it?! 'Build it and they will come' really does work if you give nature half a chance.

He sadly disappeared on 8/13. I was very upset by this - I really wanted to be able to watch him grow and transform.

Your caterpillar looks pretty mature in the 8/9 photo, so it might just be off in the pupating stage on 8/13. They almost never pupate on the milkweed plant, usually they go for a walk and find a place under some small cover (perhaps on a branch under a leaf or some similar setup). They can be hard to find but it might be worthwhile to have a look around.
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[dapjwy]

disuhan,

I am so happy for you. I can feel your excitement and joy.

Your post reminds me of finding two monarch caterpillars on my A. tuberosa--my first time a few years ago. I didn't realize you were in your first year. How wonderful. Enjoy the surprises and know there are many more to come.

I agree that it is likely your caterpillar is on its walk-about.

I didn't see mine in the pupa stage...but I did find the remains of the chrysalis after the fact. Here is a photo of it:



Here's hoping that you find yours...but even if you don't maybe you'll find the evidence of success after the fact as I did.

[MrILoveTheAnts]

Once they get almost fully grown I usually remove them from the plant and put them in an outdoor screened cage with some milkweed cuttings in it. That way I know where the chrysalises are. I'm still finding transparent chrysalises all over our deck and side of the house from caterpillars who wondered away from the milkweed patch.

[disuhan]

What a relief! I thought they'd pupate on the milkweed. About how far do they normally go? I don't have much other than grass surrounding my 11x15 butterfly garden. I will try to scour that area tomorrow and see what I can find.
Thanks!

[MrILoveTheAnts]

Originally Posted by disuhan

What a relief! I thought they'd pupate on the milkweed. About how far do they normally go? I don't have much other than grass surrounding my 11x15 butterfly garden. I will try to scour that area tomorrow and see what I can find.
Thanks!

The farthest one I found was about 24' from the milkweed patch, that's not to say they don't travel farther. And it won't necessarily be in a smart location. I've found them under 6' blades of grass before right in the middle of our lawn.

[Helianthus]

I too just started growing Asclepias Incarnata in my urban backyard and found three monarch caterpillars on it Monday! It makes me want to go out and get my garden certified as a monarch waystation!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by Helianthus

I too just started growing Asclepias Incarnata in my urban backyard and found three monarch caterpillars on it Monday! It makes me want to go out and get my garden certified as a monarch waystation!

Congratulations, Helianthus.

It is a wonderful thing to see...and to know that our efforts are making some small difference.

I can't wait to plant MORE Asclepias species throughout the yard. Not counting what I have coming up from seed, I only have about 5 or 6 butterflyweed A. tuberosa...there well may be more that I planted last year and lost track of...if they bloom next year, I'll be sure to spot them.

I have some of the common milkweed coming up on its own--which makes me happy...and a swamp milkweed that I had in a pot for way too long--it is finally in the ground and I collected seeds from it this year (also have seeds planted from Ernst seed company).

Anyway, enjoy!

[BeeWonderful]

I didn't known that monarchs travel elsewhere to pupate! Great info on this thread

[bridget1964]

I love, love, love monarchs and am very happy for you! Plant more milkweeds!

He sadly disappeared on 8/13. I was very upset by this - I really wanted to be able to watch him grow and transform. But when I went to get the mail this afternoon, I was treated to a nice photo session with this guy:

I agree with the others here that your big fat cat (probably a 5th instar/stage) probably went on a walk about.

Maybe she(?) laid an egg? Maybe there will be another caterpillar after all? Even if there are no more, I'm so happy that my native garden is already attracting species so quickly in such an urban/suburban area!

And yes, this photo is of a female. You should check your plant for eggs! How exciting for you!