Tuesday, September 10, 2019

More Common Milkweed Visiters



More Common Milkweed Visiters



Monarch Butterfly on Milkweed
These butterflies were frequent visitors of the Common Milkweed when I was at the nature center.  Their numbers began to subside and in my last year there I saw very few.

The eggs they lay on the leaves hatch into the caterpillar. 

Monarch Egg


Monarch Caterpillar
The caterpillar eats milkweed leaves continuously and exclusively.  When it has eaten enough it attaches its tail to the plant and spins itself a cocoon.

Monarch Caterpillar
This caterpillar is beginning the process of spinning its cocoon.  It is in captivity, the reason for which, is because it crawls off to a secret location to do this.  I have watched them every day on the milkweed until one day they are gone.  I've searched high and low to know avail.  Hence, this one in captivity.
 
Red Milkweed Beetle
I think I neglected to mention that the milkweed leaf contains toxins which would kill a creature not immune to their poison.

I sincerely enjoyed watching the drama unfold and I miss it.

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