MONARCHS

[Jeanine Shaffer]

At this time last year i was raising 150 monarch "cats" and had some chrysalises about ready to hatch.
So far this year there hasn't been one Monarch come into my yard to lay any eggs. I've only seen 3-4 other butterflies--swallowtails and zebras. Can anyone fill me in on what is happening? I heard there was a bad freeze in Mexico--is this true? I'd appreciate any information from anyone out there. Also I'd like to know if anyone in other states or Tennessee has seen any Monarchs this year 2010.

Thanks, Jeanine Shaffer
jandcgardens@comcast.net

[Mona Miller]

Monarch Watch has a Blog:
http://monarchwatch.org/blog/2010/05/mo ... -status-8/
Status of the Population

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/
Journey North has good information on what has happened this spring.

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/maps/Sightings_All.html
There is a drop down list, select Monarch Adults and you can check the listings to see who in Tennessee has seen Monarchs.

[JenCat68]

I live in central Florida and we had a very bad extended freeze this year, but so far, on the one lone Milkweed I planted there have been four cats. One died (seemed to just melt) as he was waiting to turn (was in J shape), the other fell to the ground and pupae was eaten by ants (by the time I tried to intervene, it was too late) and the other two got really big and then...poof disappeared. They probably got eaten : ( But they are coming and I could not be more excited! This is my first milkweed and my first cats!

[Mona Miller]

Monarchs usually do not stay on the plant to pupate (chrysalis stage). They will travel 5 to 10 ft. away and usually are about 5 ft. of less off the ground. They are really good at hiding. They have to be because predators are good at finding them.

Many of us take the Monarchs in to raise them.
http://www.monarchwatch.org/rear/index.htm
Monarch Watch, Raising Monarchs
There are many predators and diseases:
http://www.monarchwatch.org/biology/pred1.htm
Predatation
http://www.monarchwatch.org/biology/control.htm
Parasites