The first Monarch arrived in my yard later than usual to lay some eggs. I saw tiny caterpillars, but they disappeared quickly. There was another one laying eggs a few days ago. Hope they will be more successful. I didn’t plan to raise anything this year, but found some tiny Spicebush caterpillars on potted plants. So it was easy enough to stick them in a tent. Doing well so far I think. Hard to tell with them being in their leaf pockets most of the time. Just released another Rosy maple moth from the caterpillars we raised last Summer. Here is a picture of it from this afternoon when it was still working on its wings.

I've only seen 1 monarch (several days ago), and it was in too much of a hurry for a photo. Hopefully the monarchs will bounce back from very low overwintering numbers.

The first caterpillars of note in my backyard are red admirals, at least a dozen of them in folded leaves on one small clump of nettles.

typical folded leaf

Seems like more monarchs this year that layed eggs in my yard

I think I've had more this year too Joe. Here in southwest Missouri, there should be the most later this summer as they head south but I've had a small but steady supply of Monarch caterpillars in late May, June and July. Maybe they're slow to head north or early to head south or just hanging around.

I'm finding them mostly on Purple Milkweed (asclepias purpurascens), quite a few on Orange Butterfly Weed (asclepias tuberosa), only a few on Tropical Milkweed, Showy Milkweed, and Prairie Milkweed. I think none on my Swamp Milkweed which is odd. It should be a favorite.

Also odd, I've had almost no aphids this year. I hope I didn't just curse myself by saying that.

I've seen more monarchs than swallowtails this year. Had a handful of monarch sightings today alone -- whether or not it's the same one flitting around all day IDK, but joyous to see nonetheless, and neighbor had one on their cornflowers as I was walking by this afternoon. Have seen very few swallowtails, I'm a little concerned. Although, they may be out and about when I'm not, just because I haven't seen them doesn't mean they're not there.

I am happy to report I've seen many more swallowtails in the week since I last posted.

I had 8 Swallowtail cats on one fennel plant today, but noone on the milkweed.

That's a great photo Markay. I have several bronze fennel plants for Black Swallowtails and years ago used to find dozens of caterpillars on it. Now I'm lucky to just one.

I have seen very few monarchs this year……😞

debra

I envy your Giant Swallowtails Dave. I've only seen one in my yard this whole summer but I have a caterpillar that's 1/4" long on my rue that I'm pretty sure is a Giant Swallowtail.

I saw one Monarch yesterday fluttering around my yard and a couple black swallowtails.

but they didn't stop long enough for me to identify them. I have a big pipevine that's been uneaten so far this year but I usually have some of those.