I hate you. We have a nice patch of narrow-leaf milkweed in our yard, and we get the occasional monarch visitor. But we’ve had exactly one caterpillar in three years, and the week after we found it, the county sprayed for mosquitoes in the neighborhood, and the caterpillar disappeared. Coincidence? Maybe.
My wife has planted a variety of different milkweeds in large patches around the house, and that seems to be working. She also spotted 7 monarch butterflies at the same time in the yard the other day — it’s nothing compared to the swarms of hundreds we saw 20 years ago, but it’s the most we’ve seen at once lately.
asclepiassays
I’m envious. I have seen exactly one monarch caterpillar (and two butterflies) all summer. I can even tell you the exact date: August 11. I was on F.E. Warren Air Force Base helping the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database survey for Colorado butterfly plant and (Oenothera coloradensis) and Ute ladies tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis).
I hate you. We have a nice patch of narrow-leaf milkweed in our yard, and we get the occasional monarch visitor. But we’ve had exactly one caterpillar in three years, and the week after we found it, the county sprayed for mosquitoes in the neighborhood, and the caterpillar disappeared. Coincidence? Maybe.
My wife has planted a variety of different milkweeds in large patches around the house, and that seems to be working. She also spotted 7 monarch butterflies at the same time in the yard the other day — it’s nothing compared to the swarms of hundreds we saw 20 years ago, but it’s the most we’ve seen at once lately.
I’m envious. I have seen exactly one monarch caterpillar (and two butterflies) all summer. I can even tell you the exact date: August 11. I was on F.E. Warren Air Force Base helping the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database survey for Colorado butterfly plant and (Oenothera coloradensis) and Ute ladies tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis).