DO YOUR PART- grow milkweed

[Leafmite]

We have bumblebees now (lots of flowers blooming outside--they especially are enjoying the lavender) but we are not seeing the Italian honey bees or many butterflies as in years past.
I haven't seen any sick birds, just very, very few birds (we normally have plenty of birds visiting and nesting in the yard). I hope they quickly find the cause/cure for whatever is ailing the birds. I even miss them eating all the berries.

[Fuerte Rav]

Following on from post #48 I moved 2 African Monarch caterpillars to a closed environment so I could watch their chrysalid development. The caterpillars seemed to get just as large as the normal Monarchs.

They have formed their chrysalids which look identical to the normal Monarch chrysalids except they are in miniature! Only about half the size.

[JScott]

I'll have you know, I just planted 4 milkweed plants

[Fuerte Rav]

Originally Posted by Fuerte Rav

Following on from post #48 I moved 2 African Monarch caterpillars to a closed environment so I could watch their chrysalid development. The caterpillars seemed to get just as large as the normal Monarchs.

They have formed their chrysalids which look identical to the normal Monarch chrysalids except they are in miniature! Only about half the size.

The first one emerged today - definitely the African Monarch:

[Fuerte Rav]

African Monarchs just 'love' my yellow Datura and they've been feeding on the purple basil:




and as posted in the Sprouting Coconuts thread, a Monarch emerged from it's chrysalis today on my young coconut tree:



I hope no butterflies lay eggs for a few weeks as my milkweeds have hardly any leaf left.

[Fuerte Rav]

I've been giving my milkweeds an R & R period - they were exhausted from constantly being stripped by the Monarch caterpillars. All are in protective custody under nets, in cages etc and have received a dose of pesticide to wipe out all traces of Oleander Bug and Cochineal. I'll give them a couple of months before releasing them - our Monarchs breed all year so they'll soon be back in production.

My second favourite caterpillar has been busy though! The Death's head Hawkmoth also breeds in my garden:
Death's-head hawkmoth - Wikipedia

I just love the cheeky 'faces' on the caterpillars! I have green caterpillars and brown ones, different varieties of the moths. This year I witnessed them 'clicking' at each other when they were in competition over a particularly succulent leaf! Quiet amazing to hear.

This year the moths chose to lay their eggs on my Mirabilis, other years they have gone for the Guaydil. First pic shows the Mirabilis in it's prime, although tired after a hot, windy day. Then the flowers which open in the evening. Lastly the state of the plants after the caterpillars!















Anyway, a few pics, hope they make you smile as well.