Earwig!!! Drat!!!

[GBMonarch]

My happy morning was ruined when I saw an earwig munching on a new chrysalis in my Monarch cage!
I don't know how he got in there but he definitely killed the poor Monarch. I was so bummed! It was probably hiding in the milkweed leaves, I'll have to be more careful.

It's been slow here the last few weeks, the weather has been cold and rainy. I've been nurturing my 25 caterpillars and was so sad to lose this one. We've had torrential storms and tornadoes this spring, I'm sure it's affecting the migration in Wisconsin.

I did see one bedraggled female yesterday laying eggs. She even had a small hole in one of her wings, but she valiantly kept laying her eggs. I followed behind and took in the eggs. Poor thing, it looked like she had a rough time.

Here's hoping the weather clears and more Monarchs come by. All my milkweed is getting ready to bloom.

[Mona Miller]

Wow! Yes they are really troopers. They will keep laying even when their wings are tattered and about half gone.