Previous Sightings - 2004 to 2008

[tonjasturn]

I only took the pic of those 2 eggs... I have 2 milkweed plants and she has been putting eggs all over them. the last count i had was just over 50 eggs. I am thinking i need to go get somemore milkweed. I would hate for them not to have enough to eat...........

Peace, Tonja

[Pr0xY]

My 4 yr old daughter spotted our first Monarch Catapillar today. Later in the day my 7 yr old son came home from school and found 3 more. So I went outside to see if I could find any.. and within 30 mins we now have like 16!!! So anyways, this seems very interesting and I'm really interested in raising them and watch them turn into a Butterfly. I think it would be a really awesome experience for the kids and something great for all of us to do together as a family!

I'm located in Ponder, TX (an hour north of Dallas and Fort Worth)



Tina

[biosparite]

A wave of migrating Monarchs passed through here around the end of March and early April; they laid eggs on 50 A. curassavica seedlings in the Monarch Waystation in the W. 11th St. Park in Houston. The seedlings, then about 1.5 in tall, were eaten to ground level. Adult milkweeds wintering over from last year also lost most if not all emeging foliage to Monarch caterpillars. Monarchs continue to be seen at the garden in ones and twos, and the 50 A. curassavica seedlings are making a slow recovery with new growth. I still see around one Monarch caterpillar in the garden each time I visit. Nectar plants that have proved particularly popular this year with Monarchs are blue porterweed, Duranta, and Salvia coccinea. Tithonia was a big hit last year, and the early- summer bloomer Centaurea america, now budded, attracted Monarchs during its bloom period last year.

[tzuhouse]

New here. In the fall of 2004, we raised quite a few Monarchs. Last fall, hardly nothing, in Spring, Texas. Wondered if maybe the hurricanes didn't change the flight pattern a little?

Spring 2006, had a few, but nothing like the Spring before. I haven't seen a Monarch in months, until 2 days ago. One visitor. She left me around 20 eggs or so? I brought in 8. Will raise and release, as always. Plenty of milkweed to feed. Glad I'll finally have some cats.

We raise Monarchs, Pipevines and Polydamas (first year for those), Gulf Fritillaries, Black Swallowtails and Giant Swallowtails. We raise from egg, when I see the ovipositing occuring, so I can get them in immediately, before they become parasitized.

Mary

[susanlynne48]

Also new here. Began to find eggs in early August this year. Zone 7, Oklahoma City. Also my first year to raise and release. I didn't really do an actual count, but would say I've so far raised and released about 75. So, I have Monarchs galore in my garden, along with Gulf Fritillaries, Hackberries, Tawnies, and a few skippers. I also raise sphinx moths.

Even the neighbors who have flowers have commented on the increased Monarch activity on the block! I'm so happy I could contribute to the population. My granddaughter, who is 4 (almost 5 next month), has been helping me raise butterflies for 2 years now, and she loves it! We also raise black swallowtails, giant swallowtails, and GFs, and nanna's many moth caterpillars.

I have a small yard, and the butterfly host plants and nectar plants are situated between two huge black pines, so the area is protected from the often ferocious Oklahoma winds.

I raised my Monarchs on A. curassavica, but I also have the milkweed vine, which they will eat if there is nothing else. I know it's lower in cardiac glycocides than the curassavica, so it's not a preference.

I'm ready for the migration because they usually roost in my backyard and the trees look like they are ALIVE! It's just a fantastic sight. We are directly in the migration route, so I'm looking forward to it, but sad that summer will be ending.

Susan

[jemas]

I spotted one female in my yard, hovering over the milkweeds. Afterward, I checked for eggs and sure enough, there were some eggs. I'm in Medina Co., Texas.

[kkmiles]

I saw a lot of monarchs as I was riding my bike yesterday (September 27, 2006) along the Oklahoma River bike trail in Oklahoma City.

[hyland]

We've had one sighting of a female Monarch butterfly flying over our milkweed in SE Louisiana. We found approx. 50 eggs. We are rearing and releasing them.

(edited to change female Monarch caterpillar flying to female Monarch butterfly flying) lol

[kmartha]

In the past week, the caterpillars devoured my batch of Milkweed. I had so many caterpillars that I had to rescue some because they wouldn't have any more food. I collected about 20 and gave them to someone to bring to the butterfly tent in Grand Isle, LA.

I have been looking for the chrysalis in the backyard. I've found only two, but was fortunate enough to be able to record the transformation.

I do not know if these pictures will post. This first picture is the caterpillar in the J position.


This next is the forming chrysalis.


The chrysalis.


The last picture is a different chrysalis than the one above.


I'm sure there must be at least 10 or 15 more out there that I am missing, and it is possible that the assassin bugs got them, also (or the kittens). But I will continue to search for more.

[kmartha]

We've had one sighting of a female Monarch caterpillar flying over our milkweed in SE Louisiana. We found approx. 50 eggs. We are rearing and releasing them.

Where in SE Louisiana? I ahve recently noticed quite an increase in Monarchs around here (Thibodaux) and am wondering whether or not the salt water instrusions from Katrina to our East and Rita to our West have killed much of the wild milkweeds, so the Monarchs are now moving into this area, which wasn't affected by salt water. (And, I know that that caterpillar flying over your milkweed is a typo, right?)

[kmartha]

Well, it's getting dark out and I just found another caterpillar in the J position.



I also found two more chrysalis and took pictures of them, but the flash washed out the coloring completely. I will have to take the pictures in the morning.

Has anyone moved a Monarch chrysalis? I will have two very low on a branch and right next to where about 5 kittens play all day. I am afraid that when the butterfly emerges, the kitties will swat at it. I would like to move it to a higher, protected location. I am told that you can remove the chrysalis and put it anywhere you want. Any suggestions/comments on that?

[jcremona]

Hi Everyone!

I just stepped outside for lunch on Friday, 10/13/06 and saw hundreds of monarchs flying through the city! I work downtown and it was an amazing sight!

I didn't know what was going on, so I found this website and I got the info. It looks like they are right on time to be passing through Texas on their way to Mexico.

-Joe

[WeBeGood]

Hi everyone,

November 24, 2006. A couple of Monarchs flying and feeding on Butterfly Weed, and two Monarch caterpillars feeding on Butterfly Weed. I would have thought that by Thanksgiving all the Monarchs would have been further south. Near Mexico instead of Lousiana.

On Galveston Bay, Texas,
Craig

[Harlen E. Aschen]

While I hope most of the monarchs are near the sanctuaries, there are still some monarchs migrating along the Texas coast. In the last six days, we have netted thirty-nine monarchs here along Lavaca Bay between Point Comfort and Port Lavaca. These 39 got lured to nectar sources like seaside goldenrod or lantana near the bay, but those in flight are still showing a dedicated flight from northeast to southwest. In a couple of weeks those monarchs left around Houston, Galveston, or other locations where they can nectar or even find back yards with non-native curassavica may become an overwintering population. We have observed overwintering populations in Port O'Connor and have heard of others being found at Rockport and they might exist in Corpus. Houston seems to host a small year round population of monarchs except for extreme winters ... whatever that is! We had an exceptional migration along the bay and it isn't quite over ... there were many monarchs and they were large, they started early in October and are still going strong in late November -- exceptional!

[rnoelr]

I have anticipated Monarchs in my Pecan trees every year. This year, in the middle of October 2006, we had probably 1000 plus hanging from the tree branches resting as the sun set. My daughter took pictures for her class. Today, Nov. 26, 2006 there were several out feeding on my milkweed plants. I have others, Common Sulfurs, and Gulf Fritillaries are abundant.

[tzuhouse]

The fall and spring after hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit, my Monarch numbers decreased dramatically, to the point that I didn't have any cats to raise from October through the winter. My numbers seem to have improved tremendously this year. Spring was a little slow, but currently I have 14 chrysalis, 4 large cats and released a female this morning. We are thrilled that are numbers are back up to where they were the year before the hurricanes.

Mary Ramsower
Spring, TX

[WeBeGood]

Dec 28, maybe they are staying the winter here in Galveston County. There was one flying around today, and we had catipillars on our butterfly plants last month. Next to the water it's always has milder temperatures.

... We have observed overwintering populations in Port O'Connor and have heard of others being found at Rockport and they might exist in Corpus. Houston seems to host a small year round population of monarchs except for extreme winters ...

[WeBeGood]

The fall and spring after hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit...

Off topic, but a month after Katrina and Rita, our humming bird feeder had a line of humming birds. Sometimes even four feeding at the same time. One humming bird was so tired and hungry that he totally ignored a humming bird that was attacking him at the bird feeder. He kept drinking, then ended up hanging upside down on the perch of the feeder. I think the two hurricanes stunted plant growth from Galveston to Florida so that there were no flowers for the birds to fatten up on for their migration. Monarchs probably had problems that year too.

[WeBeGood]

Jan. 18. 2007. Monarch Sighting.

Tuesday, one cold Monarch caterpillar searches for warmth. With temperatures dipping down and staying at 33 F, the caterpillar climbed to the top of the butterfly weed and held on by a couple of sets of rear legs. Wednesday, with temperature much the same, the caterpillar was found in the same spot hanging by his front few legs. Dangling much the same, just rotated, on the upper most part of the plant, exposed, trying to catch what little warmth the sun provided through the thick clouds. Today, Thursday, the caterpillar was on the same leaf, hanging on by a couple of middle legs, front and rear hanging louse. Again, sunning itself on a cloudy cold day, as the temperature climbed finally climbed above 35 F for the first time in days. 40 F must have felt warm, compared to the previous few days.

[jasmon]

Sunday, March 25

Yesterday, Saturday I saw a Monarch laying eggs on several of my milkweed plants. I counted 23 eggs. I keep my plants in pots on my patio and I took them in during cold/bad weather so I have lots of leaves ready for the hungry caterpillars that will be coming soon

[jemas]

I've been seeing an occasional Monarch flying by for more than a week. Yesterday I saw one leaving my yard. Later I found the eggs on several milkweed in the yard. 27 eggs were found on a quick search. I'm in NE Medina Co., TX. It's been a long times since I've had Monarch caterpillars in the spring!

[TreeHuggr]

Yesterday, 2 April 2007 I was at Craighead Forest Park and spotted 4 Monarchs.
Location: Jonesboro, A, Craighead County

[Teresa]

Oh boy, that means they are on their way here to Ohio

[hyland]

I have not seen any monarch butterflies, but I have 13 monarch caterpillars in Lockport, Louisiana, so at least one monarch butterfly has paid our milkweeds a visit. We are rearing the caterpillars and then releasing them.

(And, I know that that caterpillar flying over your milkweed is a typo, right?)

Yes, it was a typo. lol

[sbannister]

I live in Kenner, LA, west of New Olreans. I have seen adults around since the spring when I first planted 5 milkweeds - A. tuberosa. I have had many eggs and instars 1-2 on my plants, but never did see any large cats outside. I brought in the little guys and reared 5-8 of them at a time. So I probably released 40-50. There always seems to be 1-2 in the garden. However, just last Friday I found about eight-ten middle instar cats outside, and they are now almost ready to pupate. I am so happy that some are making it on their own. Maybe since the weather is cooler it's made a difference. It gets so hot here in the summer!

Anyway, this is my first year with Monarchs and it has been a lot of fun. I'm hoping to get more species of cats, too and expand my garden for next spring.

Susan

[sbannister]

I live in Kenner, LA, west of New Olreans. I have seen adults around since the spring when I first planted 5 milkweeds - A. tuberosa. I have had many eggs and instars 1-2 on my plants, but never did see any large cats outside. I brought in the little guys and reared 5-8 of them at a time. So I probably released 40-50. There always seems to be 1-2 in the garden. However, just last Friday I found about eight-ten middle instar cats outside, and they are now almost ready to pupate. I am so happy that some are making it on their own. Maybe since the weather is cooler it's made a difference. It gets so hot here in the summer!

Anyway, this is my first year with Monarchs and it has been a lot of fun. I'm hoping to get more species of cats, too and expand my garden for next spring.

Susan

[sbannister]

I live in Kenner, LA, west of New Olreans. I have seen adults around since the spring when I first planted 5 milkweeds - A. tuberosa. I have had many eggs and instars 1-2 on my plants, but never did see any large cats outside. I brought in the little guys and reared 5-8 of them at a time. So I probably released 40-50. There always seems to be 1-2 in the garden. However, just last Friday I found about eight-ten middle instar cats outside, and they are now almost ready to pupate. I am so happy that some are making it on their own. Maybe since the weather is cooler it's made a difference. It gets so hot here in the summer!

Anyway, this is my first year with Monarchs and it has been a lot of fun. I'm hoping to get more species of cats, too and expand my garden for next spring.

Susan[/quote][/url][/list][/code]

[jemas]

A Monarch cat can eat a LOT! The seedling is not likely to grow fast enough to keep up with a growing cat. I've got dozens of milkweed plants, but when it comes to Mexican Milkweed, it takes a pretty large plant to be sure it will feed one or two cats. I've raised quite a few cats this fall, but due to disease, the first group of cats had no survivors. The second group had a few survivors. Then things improved and most cats survived after that. I thought it was all over, but a straggler Monarch came through after all the rest were gone. And I found a couple of eggs today!

[jemas]

Oops, double post!

[sbannister]

Hey y'all

A single monarch was sunning on the lantana in my yard on Saturday. She wasn't feeding and stayed there for a good 1/2 hour that I knew of. Also, I have baby cats on my milkweed. I have taken a few in and am curious to see if any of the outside ones reach maturity. All summer none of my outside cats made it, but when the weather cooled, many did. Most of those adults have gone now, I think.

Anyway, I'm right outside New Orleans, so the weather has been mild and hopefully I will continue to have sigthings to report!

[Harlen E. Aschen]

Jan 1, 2008 and Monarchs are using backyard rather frequently. Coupled pair, male was in very good, almost new shape, while female was more faded, ~2, two other females on curassavica. Curassavica looks the best it has this year. We have been deep watering when there is a chance of a freeze but only two light frosts. Every stem of the curassavica has a beautiful flower. We know of some gardens about a mile away where their plants are only stems, but so far ours still look great going into the winter. The yellow jackets/paper wasps are still active in our backyard so they may be keeping any small larvae from getting any larger. We see evidence of small larval activity but never find anything larger than a few
second instars. If there is no hard freeze from the midcoast on south there will be a pretty large overwintering group of Monarchs down here.
Harlen, Port Lavaca, Texas

[sbannister]

I have found the first eggs of the year. There were about 9 that I found. My milkweed has put out lots of new leaves and some flower buds. I haven't seen the butterfly, however. Weather has been very springy around here. It's my favorite season!

[chanceychelsey]

I still have a couple of months to wait for them to arrive, but still it's very exiciting to know they are on their way!

[anlturner]

I live in a coastal burb of Houston and have had close to a hundred larvae and now have a few dozen pupas (that we can find easily) all around the garden. I obviously need to plant more milkweed as there is nothing left.
Do I need to protect the pupa from anything or just leave them be?

[Orangeaid]

If you can , try to rustle up so more milkweed from somewhere and get it to the cats if possible. Even if you left it outside in a vase of water that would help. If you know for sure they will die from starvation thats what i would recommend.

[Mona Miller]

I live in a coastal burb of Houston and have had close to a hundred larvae and now have a few dozen pupas (that we can find easily) all around the garden. I obviously need to plant more milkweed as there is nothing left.
Do I need to protect the pupa from anything or just leave them be?

The pupae will get eaten by birds and insects. But, they try to hide themselves by looking like a green curled leaf. Many do survive without our help, but it's neat to watch them emerge and then release them.

If you want you can take them inside. You can easily pull them off of whatever they are attached to by spritzing them with water, waiting about 10 seconds and then carefully pulling, but you must wait until the pupa has hardened a good 24 hours to do this. After you take them off you can take a stick pin (I use the ones with plastic heads), and pin thru the silk then stick them inside a container. I use a net container since if they fall, they need something to climb up on.

http://www.monarchwatch.org/rear/index.htm
This section on the Monarch Watch list serve shows how to tie a pupa for hanging.

Many companies have those net containers.

http://shop.monarchwatch.org/product.aspx?p=113225(base)
Butterfly Condo

http://educationalscience.com/terrariums.htm
Butterfly Cages

[johnsie_t]

I live just west of Fayetteville Arkansas, and two days ago before we had a large storm front move in, I saw probably 10-15 monarchs moving through my field of flowers filling up and looking for milkweeds on their way to the north. I don't have any milkweeds on my property tho. If anyone else on this forum is from Northwest Arkansas and knows where some milkweed plants are, feel free to let me know. Thanks