My 1st Monarchs!

[mike17042]

In June I bought 2 milkweed plants, a Common Milkweed and a Swamp Milkweed. As we live in a woodland without much in the way sunshine I planted them in large containers on my deck. The Swamp Milkweed has grown to about 4 feet and the Common only about 2 feet high. This afternoon I was out and to my delight I saw a Monarch Caterpillar and then another 3 all on the Swamp Milkweed.

I would like to do as much as I can for them so I have some questions.

1. How much do they eat? Is 2 plants enough for 4 hungry Monarchs? I can buy more but how many do I need?

2. There are lots of small yellowish eggs on the Swamp Milkweed. Is this Milkweed Tussock Moth? If not any suggestions?

3. What else I can I do for the caterpillars to help them?

Thanks

Mike

[Mona Miller]

http://www.mymonarchguide.com/2007/05/t ... trade.html
You can watch them, but they might get eaten on your deck. If you want to leave them on the plant, buy some 5 gallon paint stainers (net) and double those to contain them. Those plants just might be enough to feed them. Do you have any other local sources? You gotta be careful buying plants, most people want their plants bug free, so nurseries spray them. You can get the paint strainers from a hardware store or Lowes in the paint section.

http://www.butterflyfunfacts.com/raisingbutterflies.php
There's lots of info here.