Check out Photo Critique Section section of our forum.
Monarch Mayhem!
Jul 12, 2016 11:00:25 #
This is our fifth hatch of catipillars that become monarch butterflys this summer. They thrive on milkweed plants which is also where the butterflys return to lay their eggs that then hatch into catipillers. It was obvious that these catipillars were eating themselves out of house and home so yesterday we went and bought two more milkweed plants to feed these ravinous creatures. The attached photo was taken this morning about 14 hours after the new plants were placed for them to eat. At this point one can see that the catipillars have devoured the new plants and our local nursery is out of them now. Take a close look at the photo and see if you can count the number of these creepy crawlies. This is only one of the three locations around our house that we have these plants and catipillars. chase
Jul 12, 2016 11:02:00 #
Wowsa. And you have a chrysalis already!! (or is that an older one that didn't emerge?)
Jul 12, 2016 11:06:09 #
Jul 12, 2016 11:06:42 #
that is great. we've been putting out all the stuff they like in our butterfly garden but the numbers are scary here. gary
Jul 12, 2016 11:15:10 #
chase4 wrote:
so yesterday we went and bought two more milkweed plants to feed these ravinous creatures.
At this point one can see that the catipillars have devoured the new plants and our local nursery is out of them now. chase
At this point one can see that the catipillars have devoured the new plants and our local nursery is out of them now. chase
Well done Chase, helping to protect the biodiversity. I'm sure most people would be reaching out for a repellent spray. I take my hat off to you.
Jul 12, 2016 11:19:21 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Wowsa. And you have a chrysalis already!! (or is that an older one that didn't emerge?)
Thanks for lookin' Linda, that's one that has not hatched yet from a previous group. We still have 10+ chrysalis here that are about to hatch. chase
Jul 12, 2016 11:21:47 #
flathead27ford wrote:
Very cool! Cheers.
Thanks for looking flathead, BTW, one of the best cars I ever owned was a '53 Ford, last year of the flathead V-8. chase
Check out Black and White Photography section of our forum.
Jul 12, 2016 11:24:22 #
gwr wrote:
that is great. we've been putting out all the stuff they like in our butterfly garden but the numbers are scary here. gary
Thanks for stopping by gwr, are your numbers scary good or bad? chase
Jul 12, 2016 11:27:12 #
Jolly Roger wrote:
Well done Chase, helping to protect the biodiversity. I'm sure most people would be reaching out for a repellent spray. I take my hat off to you.
Thanks for taking a look and your nice comment JR, we are finding out that it might be more expensive to feed catipillars than our dog and cats! chase
Jul 12, 2016 11:30:28 #
chase4 wrote:
Thanks for looking flathead, BTW, one of the best cars I ever owned was a '53 Ford, last year of the flathead V-8. chase
Jul 12, 2016 21:56:28 #
That is an awesome and scary batch of caterpillars. What is your weather like? We had a lot of Monarch hatchings this spring and even more last fall and winter but nothing right now. I figured it might be too hot for them right now. We have a few butterflies but no hatchings.
Check out Professional and Advanced Portraiture section of our forum.
Jul 13, 2016 07:15:37 #
Sometimes you have to thin the herd so that the rest can survive... Sadly, since they won't eat anything else!
Jul 13, 2016 08:11:08 #
chase4 wrote:
Thanks for stopping by gwr, are your numbers scary good or bad? chase
Bad. Ten years ago our side yard would be teeming w/ them in my wife's butterfly bushes. Ive seen one this year. gary
Jul 13, 2016 12:51:39 #
Cwilson341 wrote:
That is an awesome and scary batch of caterpillars. What is your weather like? We had a lot of Monarch hatchings this spring and even more last fall and winter but nothing right now. I figured it might be too hot for them right now. We have a few butterflies but no hatchings.
Thanks for looking, the weather here in coastal SoCal is moderate and boring, 75-82 F in the days and 64-68 F at night.
chase
Jul 13, 2016 12:53:17 #
sb wrote:
Sometimes you have to thin the herd so that the rest can survive... Sadly, since they won't eat anything else!
Yep, Steve, even in the bug and plant world it's eat or get eaten. Thanks for stopping by. chase
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Check out Software and Computer Support for Photographers section of our forum.