Butterflies in my stomach, and other places.
It's been hot and dry and a little bit windy, but the monarch caterpillars are coming along. I'm doing a few counts.
Friday, June 7: 26 eggs, 20 caterpillars. The cats ranged from approximately 3mm (1/8"), the size of a new hatchling, all the way up to one relative monster at 31.75mm (1-1/4"). Most of them were around 15.9mm (5/8"). I did see an adult butterfly sailing around the yard; it may have been a female laying eggs. Somebody certainly is!
Sunday, June 9: 87 eggs, 15 caterpillars. About three of the cats were hatchling size; the rest were from 19mm (3/4") to 25mm (1"). Two of the largest ones, now in the small bed of plants, had most likely migrated from the big pot. Maybe they were running away from the ants. I'm pretty sure the ants (which keep bringing aphids to the plants, mostly in the big pot) are responsible for there being fewer caterpillars. (Except for the large one I knelt on when I wasn't paying attention. DAMMIT.) Although the weird weather -- hot, cool, then hot again -- may be a factor.
I need to get, or make, a proper bird bath so I can liberate the saucer I've been using and put it back under the big milkweed pot. The caterpillars need a moat.
I also need a better way of measuring the cats. A metal tape measure is not a good thing to have near a soft insect, and my finger isn't very accurate. I can't find a ruler around here to save my life.
Monday, June 10: 128 eggs, 16 caterpillars. Most of the cats were in the 6.4mm to 9.5mm range (1/4" to 3/8"), but three were over 31.75mm (1-1/4"), one of which, at 44.5mm (1-3/4"), looks big enough to take off for its pupating spot. That is, if it doesn't get eaten first. There was an additional big cat dead on the ground, but it wasn't squished. Wasp, disease or ant bites? The ants were happy, anyway. It's tough out there for a caterpillar.
A female adult was visiting the plants today and laying eggs. Keep 'em coming, girls!
Friday, June 7: 26 eggs, 20 caterpillars. The cats ranged from approximately 3mm (1/8"), the size of a new hatchling, all the way up to one relative monster at 31.75mm (1-1/4"). Most of them were around 15.9mm (5/8"). I did see an adult butterfly sailing around the yard; it may have been a female laying eggs. Somebody certainly is!
Sunday, June 9: 87 eggs, 15 caterpillars. About three of the cats were hatchling size; the rest were from 19mm (3/4") to 25mm (1"). Two of the largest ones, now in the small bed of plants, had most likely migrated from the big pot. Maybe they were running away from the ants. I'm pretty sure the ants (which keep bringing aphids to the plants, mostly in the big pot) are responsible for there being fewer caterpillars. (Except for the large one I knelt on when I wasn't paying attention. DAMMIT.) Although the weird weather -- hot, cool, then hot again -- may be a factor.
I need to get, or make, a proper bird bath so I can liberate the saucer I've been using and put it back under the big milkweed pot. The caterpillars need a moat.
I also need a better way of measuring the cats. A metal tape measure is not a good thing to have near a soft insect, and my finger isn't very accurate. I can't find a ruler around here to save my life.
Monday, June 10: 128 eggs, 16 caterpillars. Most of the cats were in the 6.4mm to 9.5mm range (1/4" to 3/8"), but three were over 31.75mm (1-1/4"), one of which, at 44.5mm (1-3/4"), looks big enough to take off for its pupating spot. That is, if it doesn't get eaten first. There was an additional big cat dead on the ground, but it wasn't squished. Wasp, disease or ant bites? The ants were happy, anyway. It's tough out there for a caterpillar.
A female adult was visiting the plants today and laying eggs. Keep 'em coming, girls!