EGGS HATCHING!!

[Mona Miller]

I went into my tent today to check on the Monarch eggs. There are tiny holes in the leaves. They are hatching. Tiny, tiny caterpillars are crawling around, some up to the top of the plants.

The female is long gone. She stayed in my yard for a while and laid and then left. I hope she makes it to Canada.

[sassypriscilla]

Great news!

[drexel.n@gmail]

Yea Mona - I'm so happy for you!! I saw a female in my yard on Sunday, but no eggs. A friend on the other side of town saw some laying eggs in her sand vine on Friday. So there are a few around. Congrats to you again!

[Mona Miller]

I'm not Monarch depressed anymore!!

[allaflutter}i{]

And they are finally in NJ, too!

[Mona Miller]

They didn't skip us this time. I saw another female today, but she didn't stay long. I bet she heard there's more milkweed further north.

[jturk3]

Ok I have a technical question. I gathered 4 eggs right after I saw a female lay them. I have a very small waystation so it isn't hard to monitor. How long before these eggs hatch? I'm sure there are more outside so I'd like a rough idea as to when to go out scouting for 1st instars. My eggs are inside so I realize that might throw the timing off a bit. I'm keeping data so I'll know soon enough but I'd like a general idea when to expect them.
Thanks WS3405

[tartandtiny]

The eggs that I have collected and reared indoors tend to hatch in 3-5 days

[Mona Miller]

You are right. Indoors, it could take 3-5 days. Outdoors if it is hotter, it could take less time. The cycle goes faster when the temps go up and slower when the temps go down.

[windrider]

It took about 2-3 days for my eggs to hatch. MInd you that they hatched in a basement and that I don't have air-conditioning. Temperature was abut 80°