First of the year Chicago!

[froglegs]

Had a female ovipositing yesterday! Suburban Chicago.

[blazing star]

I live in your neck of the woods and have tons and tons of eggs this year. This is exciting considering that last year I saw no activity until late June, from what I recall. Have fun!

[raycope]

We're in a suburb of Chicago and this year it's a drought! Saw a couple of them on 04/17/2012, spotted some eggs later, but all failed. Saw a couple more on 05/08/2012, same story. 2 days ago (06/14/2012) found an 1" caterpillar and brought it indoors. It's now almost 1.5" long but on the skinny side. We have > 20 milkweeds and there is always something in bloom in the garden since late March. Do other people around here have better luck?

[blazing star]

Well, I'm no longer having much luck. Last year I had a monarch in my yard almost daily. This year I haven't see one in weeks. I did find several more eggs but none hatched.