Hey, Austin, glad to see you posting here. I would guess that there are both cats and eggs on some of these plants, but not all. It's often easier to spot them in our gardens, because we know where to look and we have seen Monarchs visiting the plants. If you keep looking you will probably see some. Are you seeing many Monarchs?

On my property there are definite cycles where I will see a lot of Monarchs and others where I will see few. The same goes for caterpillars and eggs. There are, of course, many factors that influence the numbers of caterpillars. I find that once the caterpillars reach a certain size that the predators tend to leave them alone. Eggs are often carried off by a number of predators--ants get a lot of them on my property.

It's been a slow migration this year, I think. We just found eggs (!!YAY!!) yesterday, but those are the first I've heard of from a number of people around here who are on the lookout.

I live in Central Arkansas and have yet to see any Monarch activity. I did read that because of all the storms Texas has had recently, it has delayed development of the first generation and slowed the migration a bit. I know some have made it North by looking at the migration map but hopefully, more yet to come. Still watching and waiting. If not this spring, then maybe on the return in late summer.

~Mary

No Monarch activity yet in NW Arkansas yet

I guess I needn't bother watching for a while here in Michigan. It's usually July before I see much action, anyway.

Martha

I didn't know that the Monarch migration arrived so late for those of you in the more northern states. July seems late to me, but Martha you said that is the normal arrival time. How long do they stay where you live? We have a fairly stable population here in Central and Southern Florida that stay with us year round--as long as we don't have a hard freeze.

tom123_gw, I haven't seen one monarch. I don't really understand why. Maybe it has something to do with my elevation, but I seriously doubt that. Texas could have also had some form of effect on the monarchs.aybe they will be a bit late this year for me.

The Monarchs don't fly directly to Michigan from Mexico, or wherever they spent the winter. They fly to maybe Texas, lay some eggs, and then die. We have to wait for the eggs to hatch, grow up (assuming they have enough milkweed and don't get eaten), form their chrysalis, hang out for awhile, and finally eclose and continue their trip north. We might get a first generation of new Monarchs arriving here, but we may even have to wait for the second generation. Remember, the overwintering butterflies already made an incredible journey in the fall, and now have spent a long winter just trying to survive. It's a bit much to expect them to fly all the way to Michigan, too. They leave that trip to their offspring. So, those of us in Michgan are counting on you folks in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, Colorado, Ohio, Illinois, etc. to keep growing plenty of milkweed so those babies can grow up and find their way here. I've got a garden full of milkweed and plenty of nectar sources to help them on their way back south in September and October. The latest I've had a Monarch eclose is early November, and I don't have high hopes that he made it to a safe overwintering spot.

Martha

8 are on their way North from Spring, TX!

Maybe there's someone close to you who has extra milkweed to share. I have a several stalks of common milkweed but I don't know how long it would take the leaves to arrive from central Arkansas.

Perhaps consider posting a new message with requests for milkweed leaves from growers close to you. The first year I raised Monarchs a kind lady who lives abt 150 miles from me sent me packets of common milkweed leaves so I could finish raising them. Being close, the leaves arrived overnight so they were still in good condition. I kept the leaves in plastic baggies in the fridge crisper and they would keep for several days. It might be worth a try to put out a call for help.

Mary

I'm in Spring and am going to an acquaintances to get milkweed when the storm passes. I could get you some plants. She says she has loads and invited me to come dig some up. At first she referred to them as "butterfly weed", but then corrected herself and said "milkweed", so I'm thinking it is.

Is anyone on this site from So. Calif? or is it just me and my yard?

SoCalBeth is in So Cal. I'm "from" there...but in Texas now.

Not sure how to "reply" on here..yes to Spring Texas offer! How do we get this done? I have to head to Tomball as soon as Bill flooding passes. I might go to Houston Gardens for more plants to get me thru til Thursday or so. Don't know if they have plants left or not. What town are plants in..I could meet you there..or somewhere?

I have been keeping a lep yard list since 2011 where I try to mark down the date I first see things each year. The earliest monarch sighting I have for the past few years are 5/2/2012, 6/13/2013, and 6/6/2014. Based on my search of photos on my computer I was collecting eggs already May 20th in 2010, although I think that was an unusual year. It seems like most years I might have a couple of early visitors and then a lull... until it heats up in late June when they all start coming through. August through early fall is when I see the most activity here. I have yet to see a monarch this year. But, there are some sightings popping up on i-Naturalist not far south from here, so they are coming.

B Watkins, click on my user name and you'll see "MESSAGE" in the upper photo. Click that and send me an email with your cell phone. The red and yellow umbrella have all milkweek half off and the plants I have bought there are healthy.

Made an emergency run to Houston Gardens and bought 5 bushy plants so my 44 babies are fed for a few more days..they look like they are close to heading on out to the chrysalis stage so, hopefully, plants will get a little breather to replenish. The good thing about Tropical Storm Bill is that he will keep monarch mamas from laying eggs for a couple of days at least. Thanks for input!

First Monarch I have seen here second day of summer , yesterday

I didn't write down the exact day that it was here, but my daughter told me that she saw one in our garden and that was about a week ago. It had to be either last Saturday or Sunday when she had off work. I don't know if it was male or female because I didn't get a chance to see it. I have lots of milkweed for them when the females show up and lay eggs. I'll be bringing them in to better their chances for survival. Best of luck to everyone!

I'm here in southern ca and I started seeing monarchs early in April, maybe even the end of March. We had some warm weather and some called it a "bumper crop" of caterpillars if there is such a thing. I just saw my first swallowtail today too!!!

I live in Virginia Beach, VA. Just spotted the first Monarch laying eggs this morning.

Friend in Minnesota saw her first of the year last weekend.

You've all probably seen some by now, but here's a website where you can actually see how far north the Monarchs have progressed: https://www.learner.org/jnorth/

My sister near Lansing, MI texted me that she saw a Monarch in her garden today. I've seen damage to some of the milkweed leaves that look a lot like tiny caterpillars had been chewing, but a predator must have gotten them. But, I haven't seen a Monarch myself yet.

Martha

I am down here in south Alabama out in the country

With lots of butterflies but no Monarchs so far.

I worked hard this season to increase milkweed

And have two huge tropicals in full bloom,plus

Tuberosa starting to bloom.Also I increased my bed

Of tuberosa and they are growing fast.

I have four swamp milkweeds that are growing very well

And I think by Fall they will be quite tall.We have had lots

Of rain this spring and expecting plenty this summer.

We are down in a sort of valley,and sometimes Monarchs

Passing along the ridge will drop down to nectar at my

Purple bull thistle(they seem to love it).

I hope increasing various milkweed plants will get them to hang

Around longer!

DD

One of my monarchs is nearly ready to pupate (form chrysalis...is that the right word?) and I found 3 new eggs + saw 2 monarchs a few days ago... So! I'd say monarch season is here in Chicago.

I have a very butterfly friendly acreage (10a) with lots of common, buttterfly, marsh and whorled milkweeds, along with other pollenator forbs and to date have only seen 2 monarchs. Are they just not here yet, or not coming? Zone 4. Nothwest Iowa.

Here's the link to a map showing where they've been sighted this season....

Looks like Im in a big void right now. I just seen two more this afternoon, so its looking up..

I have been seeing them recently in NJ/Zone 7 (but I have a lot of butterfly friendly plants).

I'm raising so many monarchs I'm having trouble keeping up with their feeding!

Well I'm jealous of pretty much everyone. I have yet to see a single monarch or find any eggs or caterpillars. Maybe they are out there, but I'll just have to continue to wait.