Please Report Your 2011 Total

[NickiM]

I released my last adult last Saturday--number 200! I only released 70 last year, so my goal for 2011 was 100, but I quickly realized I was going to exceed that goal by a lot. I had a total of 221 cats, 21 died, including two whose containers got blown off my kitchen table the day they made their chrysalises. Sadly, the chrysalises broke off the cremaster, killing the butterflies.

I was completely exhausted at the height of the feeding--trying to find food for 150 or so cats, washing and drying leaves and putting them between paper towels. I don't think I could reasonably manage very many more than I had this year, although, I'm planting even more common milkweed this fall and planning to buy more plants of other varieties.

It's always bittersweet when the last butterfly is gone. I'm glad to have been so successful in rearing them, yet summer is truly over when the chrysalises are all gone.

Everyone, please post how many butterflies you released this year.

[blazing star]

My goal was to raise a lot this year but I was unable to locate any eggs until very late in the season. I didn't count, but suspect I raised no more than 25 all season.

When the monarchs actually came to lay eggs, the eggs were few and far between whereas last year I could barely locate a leaf without an egg attached.

I'm hoping for better luck next year.

[skates4marty]

I was completely exhausted at the height of the feeding

Nicki, you need to recruit people. Here's what I find successful:

Early in the season, give your target a fat and healthy 5th instar, preferably one that you raised from an egg, so no tachnid fly. And milkweed of course.

In 10 to 14 days, you'll get a call or e-mail: "OMG!! It was so great!!!"

But don't reel them in just yet. During your mid-season, say that you're going on vacation and need someone to take care of a few -- maybe 3rds or 4ths. It will still be a cool, not exhausting, activity for them.

When those B's have been released, they will probably ask for more, or mention that they want to grow milkweed. THEN you reel 'em in, just in time for the height of the season.

Two of my recruits now surpass me in number of B's released every year.

[NickiM]

I've kind of tried to do this, but I can't even get anyone to come see the adults being released, much less help feed the cats. I think most of my friends think raising butterflies is just a litte cuckoo.

[Mona Miller]

Work on getting some friends who have like interest. Are there any butterfly clubs or associations in your area?

[Mona Miller]

http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabasl/stlouis.htm
North American Butterfly Assoc., St. Louis Chapter

[branduin]

I released 28 butterflies for 2011. I'm in awe of you who raise so many! I do what I can with my front-yard garden and collect as many cats as I can find though and am happy to help in a small way

[Mona Miller]

Every butterfly counts and I don't even have time to count all the butterflies that I raise.

I think my number for Monarchs this year was around 300 that I raised, but I gave over 200 away in egg and caterpillar form. I also raise other native butterflies and moths. Fun, but exhausting. It is a very worthwhile hobby.

[dandjtaylor]

I agree, Mona. Every single one counts!

[skates4marty]

Report from the Monarchists of Anne Arundel County.

Last year, we had 7 people raising butterflies, and we released a total of 1,112.

This year, 8 active members released .. 386.

[Mona Miller]

Definite decline in butterflies this year. I can't wait to see how many there are in Mexico when they do a head count.

[skates4marty]

My goal was to raise a lot this year but I was unable to locate any eggs until very late in the season. I didn't count, but suspect I raised no more than 25 all season.

Blazing Star, where do you live?

[alletahg]

I didn't keep an exact count, but I think I raised about 80 caterpillars this year, 49 of which were tagged. I would have had an even 50 to tag, but my last monarch had trouble getting out of the chrysalis and its wings were deformed.

Only two of my caterpillars didn't make it, and both cases were due to human error. I accidentally squashed a first instar when picking up a leaf and my 7 year old son accidentally disturbed the cremaster of a caterpillar in the "hanging J" stage so the chrysalis didn't form properly.

This was a big year for us; nowhere near the totals others raise, but pretty awesome compared to the last couple years of releasing about 25 butterflies!

[David Calhoun]

Last year I tagged 100, released 20 others. This year I didn't tag, just released 40. (Could have done more, just put in less effort). David