linda, are you speaking to those who live up there where it's cold? Cuz Florida has monarchs year-round, unfortunately, not alot of Milkweed until until Spring.
michelle

Yes, Michelle, particularly those North of you.

Thanks.

I saw the one day before yesterday, Linda.

Susan

Oddly enough, I have not seen a single monarch butterfly this year (except the ones I have released) however, I had approximately 50 caterpillars (and more eggs that were canabalized in the chewing frenzy). My milkweed plants were full and bushy until the eating frenzy began and finally they are starting to recover and put on new growth.
I find it very odd that I had all these eggs/cats and saw no adult butterflies. I guess the butts are just hiding from me as my husband has seen several species and I come outside and they go hide. I don't like this particular game of hide and seek!

Thanks for your help, everyone. I will get this info off to Chip. :)

Mechelle, have you noticed any new eggs this week, or is it from previously? would you mind sharing what County you are in? thanks.

Linda,

I checked native milkweed in the pasture today and found a lot of new eggs, but the monarch numbers around here have been fewer since the rain on the 17th.It's been so windy here, I wonder if they seek areas semi sheltered from the heavy gusts?

randy

I had a bunch of 'mystery' larvae earlier this year, too! Now I am a egg harvesting machine. Today I collected 82 eggs and one 1st instar caterpillar. I think my total thus far is somewhere in the neighborhood of 320 eggs...I saw two Monarchs today.

Holy smokes, Sherry...320??!! WOW! I'll be happy if I get half that many. Last year I had 70, but I'm expecting to get a lot more this year considering all of the new nectar plants that I'm hoping will attract a few females. I also have some very nice tropical milkweed, thanks to you. I somehow ended up with mostly all silky gold and not many scarlet. I don't care which I have the most of, as long as the cats are happy. :) I'm going to plant some of it outside tomorrow. I'm hoping that we've seen the last of our freezing weather. It was so nice yesterday and today, in the 70s and it felt great to be able to work outside again.
Congrats on all of those Monarch eggs you found!
Cathy

Cathy,
Silky Gold is MY fave and is also a fave with the cat-pits since the leaves are so nice and soft to chew. :) If you want some of the red/Scarlet, let me know. :)

Yeah, I am thinking of sending off some of these eggs to some California folks. I just sent an email off to someone in central CA...you just can't guarantee the viability of the eggs, ya know? :P I do have something like 35 of the little buggers that have hatched and are busy munching right now. I also am feeding Pipevine Swallowtail and Gulf Frit cats right now. I LOVE it, just LOVE it! :) Cheli loves the fact that mama is outside collecting eggs and whatnot since this gives her the opportunity to go and eat Dr. Earth and sticks and leaves and flowers andÂ

I like all of them, but I planted the Silky Gold, Silky Red, Apollo Gold and Apollo Orange, too. I'm anxious to see them all bloom.

When I went to the nursery the other day, I asked first for milkweed but they don't have any in yet. Seems like we're not the only ones lagging behind in milkweed production.

Susan

Sherry, I would love to have some more scarlet seeds. That way my colors will be more balance. Ha, it's not like the Monarchs would care though. I'll send you an email. Thanks, and good luck finding homes for some of those cats. Gosh, I think I'd go bonkers taking care of that many. I think you must have more energy than I do.
Cathy

I had a beautiful migratory female come...after the Easter freeze, which was 28 for us...and there was some plant damage, including MW. She stayed for a couple of days, then we had windy/rain, and she was gone....I've got several of her cats, and I know there are more outside waiting for me to gather them.....I did report to monarchwatch

Thanks, Paul. How's the milkweed coming- growing?

Finding any other cats around?

I saw my first one day before yesterday.