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