Tag Archives: Giant milkweed

Completely giddy

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Have you ever wondered what the life cycle of a ladybug looks like? I was dumbfounded when I checked my giant milkweed last night in search for caterpillars and found these weird looking “bugs” all over the leaves. I took a few photos and sent it to one of my friends who works at an all native nursery who has a wealth of knowledge. She sold me my first butterfly plants. When she told me I had ladybug larva and pupa on my leaves I was completely giddy!

Nature is so incredibly cool when you slow down enough and look at what it produces.

I have had ladybugs appear on my milkweeds in the past, but I have never had the lifecycle appear. So, of course I went back out to the milkweed this morning and took photos and admired nature.

The lifecycle of the ladybug includes eggs, larva, pupa, young ladybug and the adult. I did not see any eggs on the first glance, but definitely saw many stages.

I have read that the female ladybug can lay anywhere from 10 to 50 eggs at a time. Four days later the larvae stage is entered. Just like caterpillars they also molt to enter into the next stage.

What I read is it takes a couple of weeks for the pupa stage. They will attach themselves to the either leaves, or twigs to go through metamorphosis, which can take three to 12 days. Ladybugs are yellow to begin with and have soft exoskeletons, making them easy prey. The young ladybugs also feed on soft insects.

I had no idea that an adult ladybug can live up to a year.

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.

Hanging on

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The butterfly gardens are crawling with monarch caterpillars this month, which is so encouraging to see.

This caterpillar is hanging on while munching away on a flower that has yet to open on a giant milkweed. The giant milkweed has become a must have in the garden, as it provides an abundance of food for the ever hungry caterpillar.

The giant milkweed is also known as the crown flower and is native to Asia and Africa. Mature plants can grow up to 15 feet tall and wide and is very hardy plant as it tolerates both the hot sun and wonderfully sandy soil of Florida.

This giant milkweed has been in the garden for a year now and is quite tall and does really well in full sun. I also use this plant for cuttings for the butterfly house, which is encouraging a great deal of new growth. I have also found that keeping the stems in water produces roots, making it easy to plant in the garden and encourage more growth.