The Easter Bunny would be proud.....

9 years ago

...of all the female Monarchs hiding eggs all over the place. They spend hours without stopping to even nectar...so dedicated to their job. Here's a few pics from the last couple of days.

Will all the aphids kill/eat the eggs? Unfortunately, the aphids starting showing up after the monarchs started laying eggs and as you can see in the pics, they are laying eggs right in the aphid infected areas in some cases so I can't blast off or pick the aphids without getting the eggs. I also have Lady Bugs on the milkweed that will eat the aphids.

You can see the egg on the tip of her abdomen in the first several pics.

Finally taking a well-deserved rest...

What is this wasp doing? He wasn't on her abdomen but hanging onto her closed wings. Is this something to worry about?

Enjoy!

Rhonda

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Comments (4)

MissSherry
9 years ago
Kill that wasp! :0

Great pictures, Rhonda! I don't think the aphids will hurt the eggs, but then I've been fortunate that my Mama monarchs have laid their eggs on the leaves, away from the aphid infestations on the 'trunk' of the plants.

Good luck feeding all those cats!

Sherry
Rhonda
Original Author
9 years ago
Sherry,

Thanks Sherry!

I definitely will kill it next time...I didn't see it until I was reviewing my pics. I'm glad to hear that you, my replied upon expert, don't think that the aphids will hurt the eggs :)

I've got 10 good size plants now but as you know, they can devour the leaves very quickly.

Rhonda
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Mary Leek
9 years ago
Oh my goodness! I've never seen such a thing. That is scary, that wasp hanging onto the Monarch. Dear Lord, another thing to worry about. I'm with Sherry. Fly swat that guy when you get him alone!

Wonderful photos, Rhonda. Thank you so much for sharing.

Mary
Rhonda
Original Author
9 years ago
Mary,

Thanks! It freaked me out a little when I discovered it when looking at my pics.....just so strange and scary. That won't happen again on my watch :)