JULY 5, 2024 Released Monarch butterfly #1 on the deck this afternoon. The daily temperature has risen to 78 degrees for the first time this season. Cooler along the coast this close to the ocean might explain the delay in Monarch activity. This season I will bring in and feed the caterpillars inside the house.
July 7, 2024 Monarch butterfly #2 has emerged from its chrysalis. Wild release #2 today. August 19, Wild release #3 with another two caterpillars nearing their next metamorphic stage. The plan to feed these caterpillars requires several trips each day to harvest milkweed leaves for their growth. This is not sustainable. It is possible only because I'm retired.
August 20, Chrysalid #4 formed today. No sign of the parasitic tachinid flies so far this season. I am optimistic that survival to the butterfly stage will increase this season.
August 21, chrysalid #5 formed today.
August 22, 2024 9:40 am Caterpillar 6 beginning J stage today (see photo below).
10:05 am Caterpillar 6 is now a chrysalid. Harvesting milkweed is no longer necessary at least for the next few weeks as I do not see any new caterpillars.
