While we were doing our evening watering, I startled a Monarch butterfly as I was wending through the one common milkweed patch that is overtaking a path. Then I watched fascinated as it flitted back to a plant within breathing distance, and laid an egg right in front of me. No camera on me, but it was over as soon as I realized what was happening anyhoo.
After watering, went back out, and found not just that one, but five more! So the egg count is up to 20. Most were from a plant that had keeled over. It’s a newer one, and I think the roots are shallow. I propped it up with a rock from the pile that will eventually be part of the dry creek bed along the west side of the house.
The second instar started moving about right after I quarantined it on top of a fresh young leaf in the wee little infirmary I threw together. I almost left it in there, but thought to take a chance because nothing looks wrong with it now. I think I found it during a transition, and now that it rested, it’s fine. The color even looks a bit brighter. I hope I don’t regret it, but time will tell.
So I guess I really should wait to do counts from now on until after evening watering is done, as that’s usually our last garden time for the day.
Current Count:
- 1 chrysalis
- 4 third instar
- 1 second instar
- 1 first instar
- 20 eggs
