Hello everyone,

We have had early reports of Monarchs this year, which is good news. Three locations have females laying multiple eggs on new shoots of milkweed. Here are some comments from our members:

April 12, 2006.

After a lovely day of talking bees and things that fly with kindergarten children, imagine my delight as I walked up the hill to the mailbox and was distracted by a female Monarch laying eggs on our very young Common Milkweed patch! I found eggs on many of the sprouts, and also on one sprout of Swamp Milkweed in the Butterfly Garden. (The other SwMkd sprouts are just breaking ground.) We seem to have Monarchs everywhere, some a little faded, but most in excellent condition! What a change from last year, when we saw very few Monarchs- 1 in mid-April and one in mid-May – during the spring season. No eggs or caterpillars during the spring. In fact, I think we have seen more Monarchs in the last three days than all of last summer. It will be interesting to see how things continue.

Nancy Garden, Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary, Brentwood, TN

*

April 13, 2006.

On Thursday we watched a female Monarch unfold her wings. She stayed there through Friday. Only today did we

think to attempt to make a picture…Found her on the milkweed and did try to

photograph. The milkweed is about 3 inches tall….there are many white

dots…smaller than the head of a pin…maybe her eggs? (Failed to say the first 2

days she was on a white lilac) .

Pat & Gerald Martin, Bell Buckle, TN

*

I have also had Monarch eggs in my yard in Franklin, TN, a few miles from Owl’s Hill. After Nancy reported her sighting, I went out and found 37 eggs on the swamp milkweed in my garden. Below is a photo. Some of the eggs have now hatched out and I have tiny 1/4 inch caterpillars munching away on the milkweed. I have watered the milkweed, hoping it will grow faster to support this hungry brood, but I have my doubts! -Rita

Also, a word from another member, Jackie Herald:

:::

April 15, 2006

I just glanced out the window at the native azaleas that are blooming here at the Visitor Center at Montgomery Bell and saw both a male and female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. The park is very busy today with visitors, this warm weather not only brings out the birds, bees and butterflies, but people as well! Have a very safe and blessed Easter.

Jackie Herald, Montgomery Bell State Park near Dickson, TN

:::

Our next field trip is Saturday, May 20, to search for Baltimore Checkerspots with Steve Stedman. Until then, happy butterflying! Rita

Categories: GROUP NEWS AND DISCUSSION
No Comments »