Beautiful

Very nice--great to see some Monarchs for once! I love the thorax close-up--never noticed the spots before.

Congrats Betty. I'm sure you'll be seeing those Monarch's around the garden over the next few days.

I got to release about 8 monarchs today that came out yesterday. I usually won't release them the first day that they eclose as they really don't need to feed that first day. They will feed the second day and if you release them out into the garden and they can immediately sense the nectar they may "imprint" your garden as a good place to dine at a later date.

Mind you the above is just a theory, but my Monarchs, and other species I raise always seem to be hanging around day after day.

Mike

Thanks for all the nice responses. And Mike, we were wondering if they would find their way back to my yard. I have Tropical Milkweed planted and a lot of flowers for nectar. I also have planted fennel. This is my first experience raising cats. We have 8 more cats coming tomorrow from Shady Oaks Butterfly farm, and she is also sending us 11 eggs for no extra charge. We are going to be busy for the next month.

Betty

In addition to the Fennel, I'd plant out some parsley and Dill if you are trying to attract the BST as well. I just got my first BST visitor to the garden last week and have been collecting eggs and cats since. Yesterday was able to find 18 eggs, and 5 hatchlings, day before 25 eggs, 4 hatchlings.

You can never have too many host plants. If you cut your tropical milkweed down, stick the cut stems back into the ground, they'll root.

Mike

Thanks Mike, I will plant parsley and Dill. I am in Louisville, Ky and have seen very few butterflies so far. They are just now starting to come. Thanks for letting me know that Milkweed can be rooted. I received 5 really small Cats today and I am giving them Tropical Milkweed. The 4 larger ones are loving the Swamp Milkweed. I was also sent 12 eggs.

Betty