The Late Monarch Caterpillar

[Bob_B]

Doing my small part to keep this species going. A monarch butterfly caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) feeding on swamp milkweed (Asclepias). There were a dozen or so caterpillars munching away at the plants that were all but dried up last week. Today, they're gone and I assume have formed chrysalises in the undergrowth around the milkweed. I hope they make it down to Mexico, and their progeny return in 2021.

I enjoy your comments and thoughts. Please feel free to offer them, and thanks for stopping by. - Bob

[nirpat89]

Now we know where the Monarch gets its beauty from.

Thanks for sharing....

[Bob_B]

Thank you nirpat89.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Yes, thanks for sharing.

We have milkweed growing in our front yard, always hoping some monarchs will take advantage of them. I have seen the butterflies earlier this summer scouting them out, but I haven't found any caterpillars yet.

[Bob_B]

Thanks for your comments Eric. I was surprised to find caterpillars on my milkweed plants that were nearly dried up, with only a few green leaves remaining. I guess the caterpillars still found the plants edible. Maybe that will be your case too.