Technology.... sometimes it's more of a headache!! lol... When I type, like right now, I'm on my table and with a bluetooth keypad, it doesn't have spell check, so I'm forever checking my phone on how to spell things!!!

So sorry to hear about your cats!!!! maybe they went to higher ground and getting ready to J-Hook and chrysalis... they have to find a stable place, not the plant. I'm leaving one egg on the plant, but I covered it with a sheer netting so nothing can get to it! When I spoke to the monarch association of Idaho, I have a friend there, they told me if possible to put a laundry basket over a plant if you have cats munching away... that will keep them safe from birds. This butterfly cage I bought seems to be working out well... I put styrofoam on the bottom and I'm using those floral picks that hold water to keep the milkweed clippings fresh. If you are interested, I can take a picture of it and send it to you. Right now I have the tiny cats on one side and the bigger ones on the other.... still a little nervouse about where are they going to go when they J-Hook, I don't want to have to take them off the top and put them in another container, but from the videos I've watched, once the chrysalis is dry, they can be handled.

Today we had to take my little Lola (14) to the vet... she's not eating and acting odd. All sorts of tests and xrays....$800 later and he recommends we force feeding her for a while, I'm hoping she just has an upset stomach and will be back to normal by tomorrow. Also had to do a major pond cleaning today... thankfully the weather is glorious and hope your weather is as well!! .....spotted my first dragon!!

Enjoy the day and weekend!!!

So sorry to hear about Lola, Angela and sure hope that she makes a quick recovery and can remember us force feeding some of our kitties many years ago
Thanks, and would really appreciate any info and pictures on the butterfly cage and did see one little monarch cat this morning on the next to the smallest milkweed plant and also notice that the smallest plant was completely gone! I mentioned that we were having a steady rain in the reply that I sent a few minutes ago and now that rate has increased considerably---so nice to see!... Am sure that the pond cleaning isn't much fun and while feeding our neighbors fish this morning noticed that the water level was down quite a bit and had decided to add a little water if no rain as I don't think that they will be back for another four are five days. We are seeing quite a few dragons now and the butterflies numbers are slowly increasing and did see one Monarch, one Black Swallowtail, one Tiger Swallowtail, one Painted Lady, one Sulphur, and one Silver-spotted Skipper yesterday!...Still thinking about Lola and sure hope she is better soon! Take care!

The California migration is different from the rest of the US. Western Monarchs rarely cross the continental divide to the East. Nor do many make it to Mexico.
Because of our climate here, they tend to winter in the southern part of the state.

Natural predators like wasps and spiders take there fair share during the summer.
Parasites can be a big problem. Tachinid flies are my worst parasite.

OE is devastating and can be your worst nightmare. I have had to pull all of my plants and bleach the soil.
If you get it be very aware of all the handling issues.
Picking up a dead cat and not following protocol can end up infecting all of your soil and plants.

This is a very enjoyable and rewarding pastime. Very glad you are helping steward them along.

Many thanks, Corky... and thankfully, Lola seems to back to herself this morning... she's never been much of an eater, only 5 lbs!! but she at least licked and at a little of her food!! I will send the pictures I have of the set up in a pm.... but today I moved the larger cats to the clear tank I used last year, just in case they go up to J-Hook, it will be easier to move them to the chrysalis area.

Our pond is crystal clear this morning and all the fishies are happy!! Hope your rain continues and I'll be waiting for it to get to me!!

Glad to hear the great news about Lola and sure hope her improvements continue!... The rain continued almost all day with the gage showing a total of three inches and we really needed it. Just read your PM a few minutes ago and then started reading some of your replies concerning the Monarchs including clicking on the link provided by the NC association which was very informative and loved their beautiful Monarch video, also! This morning I found a large cat on one of the older plants and also found one on one of three plants that I planted this year in another location---the first one I've found on this new set! Thanks for the info and sure I will have some questions after a few more viewings! Take care!