Category Archives: milkweed

Soon to be baby galore

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This female monarch butterfly sure was busy in the garden this morning and into the afternoon. The best part is she was not at all bothered by me watching. She flew very close many times as she fluttered in to land on a new leaf, both high and low. She must have landed on every leaf either resting, or leaving behind eggs.

My giant milkweed is slowly growing back, producing beautiful new growth, which is now covered in both monarch eggs and baby caterpillars. The cycle continues again. There are a few caterpillars in the butterfly house, two of which have already created its chrysalis. I have a feeling more are going to make its residence in the house soon.

Surpassed 300

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I am happy to say, as of today, we have successfully raised and released more than 300 (303) monarch butterflies. It has been an interesting journey learning about this species up close and personal. It’s truly amazing what obstacles they are faced with as soon as an egg is laid.

The female monarch butterflies have been busy laying eggs in the garden, as my giant milkweed, which I have been growing for more than two years, is now all stems. Once taller than me, is now trimmed back encouraging new growth again. It’s truly amazing now much eating a monarch caterpillar can do.

With my milkweed pretty much non existent at the moment, my good friend took some caterpillars to her garden, so they can finish eating.

Every time my daughter and I go out into the gardens we spot a new chrysalis, some in very hidden places, while others in odd places. It’s fun to see how far they travel and what they use to create their silk mat on outdoors.

Busy monarch

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A female monarch butterfly spent a great deal of time laying eggs on my giant milkweed this afternoon. Did you know there are more than 100 species of milkweed across North America?

According to the University of Florida extension office, monarch butterflies in southern Florida will remain here, due to the vast array of its host plants, as well as the warm temperatures. It is said they will breed year round.

The eggs are 1.2 mm high and .09 mm high, according to Monarch Watch. It is said although not certain, a female can lay anywhere from 100 to 300 eggs during her life span. The eggs she just laid should hatch in about four days.

The caterpillar will go through five instars during its 10 to 14 day lifespan. Monarch Watch said the caterpillar is about 2 to 6 mm in length during the first instar; 6 to 9 mm during the second instar; 10 to 14 mm in the third instar, 13 to 25 mm in the fourth instar and 25-45 mm during the final instar. Good thing she laid her egg on the giant milkweed.

Active once again

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The butterfly house is active once again with very hungry monarch catepillars munching on a giant milkweed.

The monarchs have been busy as almost every milkweed in the gardens have caterpillars of every instar enjoying the leaves. What better why to wqtch the life cycle than to invite them into our butterfly house?

A welcome guest

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A constant battle, keeping aphids off milkweeds. A welcome guest, the ladybug, as they can eat up to 50 aphids a day. I am happy to say the ladybugs are appearing in every butterfly garden on my milkweed.

When my milkweeds become incredibly infested, I cut them back so new growth will begin, and throw the infested leaf into my horticulture bin for pick up. Although the aphids do not harm the caterpillar, they can deplete nutrients from the milkweed leaf. It seems that the summer time, when it is much warmer, they appear.