What type of milkweed were the eggs layed on? Do you normally have milkweeds still growing at this time of year?

Martha

They were on Tropical Milkweed. I had cut it all down mid October after releasing 50 Monarchs, and it is growing back...

I remember having eggs and caterpillars far into the fall that I was certain could not reach Mexico before freezing weather hit. But, I wonder if it is part of the survival mechanism. If some of the Monarchs stay north a bit longer than the others, then maybe they can get in an extra generation. Maybe the ones that went early ran into drought and not adequate nectar sources, but some who went south a few weeks later could benefit from a more recent rainy spell. Like this year. We've had the warmest fall on record, though most of the nectar sources are gone, anyway. I can't explain why they can be around later than expected. Of course, you know that many believe that the Tropical Milkweed causes/tricks Monarchs into staying in reproductive mode, rather than switching into migration mode. Even though you cut yours back, there might be others near you who didn't or seeds might have escaped and allowed plants to grow in some unmanaged area. Let us know how long you keep seeing them.

Martha

Well the first egg hatched today. This cat will grow up in an organza bag on a MW plant in my greenhouse. I have to protect it as I have green anoles in the GH. If it forms a chrysalis, do Monarchs overwinter?

Martha,
There was a study released this year by a person who has been monitoring monarchs in the north for a long time. She had tagged a zillion monarchs. The recoveries showed the later the monarchs are, the less likely they were to make it to Mexico.

Oh, of course. But in order to evolve over time, all species need to stretch their limits in all directions in case there is a change that they might take advantage of. So, for example, if our climate continues to warm, there may come a time when the late Monarchs do make it to Mexico, and that would be a huge advantage for them. I'm not saying that late Monarchs are good or bad, I'm just saying it is possible that they are normal. As you say, this woman doing research said the later Monarchs had a lower chance of making it, but some made it, up until a certain time, and the "safe" time will vary from year to year. I hope I'm making some sense.

Martha

Ohio record for a late monarch was November 7th. Not even in the ballpark now. Lots of sightings later than that this year. Woman near Cincinnati found 60 2nd and 3rd instar cats on tropical milkweed on November 10th.

If climate warms, monarchs probably will abandon Mexico roost sites. Has to be cold enough to slow their metabolism.

I remember reading about one of the migrations in Australia going away. I don't remember whether the monarchs stopped migrating or whether they picked out a new destination.

So what should I do with the 2? I can't see "Freezing" 2 healthy cats. Do the chrysalides overwinter. I guess the butterflies could live in a large enclosure with blooming plants int the greenhouse. I have to protect them from the tree frogs and anoles that overwinter in it. Thoughts...! PLEASE!

BTW, I am moving all milkweed to the greenhouse over the weekend as we will be near freezing on Sunday night, so no more eggs, but I just don't know what to do with the little cats I have.

You can do whatever you feel up to doing, but in nature they wouldn't survive. There are probably thousands of eggs, cats, and chrystalids out there on milkweeds that will freeze tonight or in the next few days. That's how it goes. And that is how it is supposed to be. That's what I was trying to explain in my second post. Every year, there are Monarchs who wait too long to start their migration because they weren't able to mature in time to get started. And they succumb to the cold temperatures. It seems cruel and wasteful, but that is how nature makes sure it takes every chance it can to find a way to survive. Also, remember that most adult Monarchs only live a few days or weeks anyway, while they mate and lay eggs. It is only the migratory ones that can be expected to live for months. I know it feels terrible to watch such beautiful creatures die, but it could be an overwhelming amount of work to try to keep them alive. And it goes "against" nature.

Martha

I'm all for nature...guess I'll decide shortly. UGH

I'm in Houston. I have 50 or so cats. My friend also has them. They have consumed my entire garden of milkweed. I was wondering if there was anything else they liked to eat. This is the most I've had. My friend had a problem with wasps before but thinks there hasn't been as many as why she has so many cats. I was wondering about the Anoles earlier today as I have those too.

Where are you in Houston? I'm in Spring and have a couple mw plants I cut down regrowing in the greenhouse. I could mean you one. Message me. You can also feed them butternut squash and cucumber.

Thank you but I'm toward Galveston. That's an hour plus away. I tried calling a couple garden centers but this isn't the time of year for it. I had just googled that the only thing they eat is Milkweed but I'll try butternut squash and cucumber. Thanks! I'm guessing from someone's post I should have cut down my Milkweed at some point to prevent confusing them.

I feed my 2-week old cats butternut squash and they did fine. Their poop will turn bright orange!

I cut mine way down and just as the leaves started to regrow....boom.....eggs!

I live in Calif three hours' ride from monarch wintering grounds in Santa Cruz. My cats are just now entering chrysalis stage. They are indoors. Should I drive the butterflies to SC when they hatch?

Sounds like a good idea for a road trip, but if you are having good weather, they could probably make it on their own.

In the past week, I've found another 11 Monarch cats in my greenhouse on milkweed that I cut down to sticks 6 weeks ago!! They are just starting to leaf out and I can't believe that there are caterpillars! I'm overwintering many nectar plants blooming in the greenhouse too. Some are still blooming in the garden. Doesn't seem like it's almost winter.