eggs, eggs, eggs!! plus an eggy question

[NickiM]

I found 23 eggs yesterday--11 on one fairly small plant. This were all on common milkweed that I've grown from wild gathered seed over the last two summers. I enlarged one of my flower beds this year and devoted it primarily to butterfly plants--milkweed for the Monarchs and bronze fennel and rue for the Swallowtails. I want to plant even more milkweed next year.

I was wondering how long it normally takes from the time eggs are layed until they hatch? I've left these eggs on my screened-in porch so they stay warmer during the daytime and putting them in my china hutch--sheltered from the air conditioning the rest of the time.

I have 4 chrysallises hanging in my "eclosing chamber" and two 2nd or 3rd stage instars that I hatched from eggs.

Plus, I've released 5 swallowtails, with one more chrysallis to go, so far.

[Mona Miller]

egg = 3-5 days
larvae = 10-14 days
pupae = 10-14 days
Adult

The cycle can go slower or faster depending on the temperature.

[NickiM]

Thanks Mona.

These eggs starting hatching Tuesday around 11:30pm. They were literally hatching right in front of my eyes. I ended up with 19 hatchlings from the 23 eggs.