Caterpillar foods: milkweed
This species has been very common on our land until the last few years. 2012 was a pretty good year – we saw quite a large migration through our prairies. In 2013 we saw almost none. 2014 was much better – we didn’t find any caterpillars, but we saw quite a few migrating butterflies.
During migration we see them on Rough Blazing Star, New England Aster, and especially on Showy Goldenrod in both our planted and remnant prairies.
9/4/2005
8/8/2005
9/5/2011
8/28/2013
8/28/2013
8/31/2014
9/9/2014
9/29/2012
10/19/2008
10/26/2014 A late Monarch – newly emerged; resting in the sun getting up enough energy to fly
11/2/2014 This is the latest I’ve ever seen a Monarch. I think the odd coloration must be damage from the cold.
7/12/2009 Monarch caterpillar on Whorled Milkweed
7/21/2009 Monarch caterpillars on Common Milkweed
8/6/2005 Monarch chrysalis
8/9/2005 close to emergence
8/10/2005 almost ready to emerge
8/10/2005 newly emerged Monarch
8/15/2006
9/5/2010 This is the only time I’ve seen a light colored Monarch.
5/28/2014 mated pair
9/10/2010 Migrating Monarchs on Showy Goldenrod
9/6/2010 Migrating Monarchs on Stiff Goldenrod
