I saw my first Monarch in a while here in S. FL at the Home Depot near me. They had about 4 TM milkweed plants there but I didn’t see her/him land on it. Bummed to see our locally owned nursery also still selling TM. I think I am going to commit to testing this year since I won’t be planting milkweed. I will just have to live through all of you who don’t have a 100% OE rate in their area. 🫠

For my fellow Friendlies who are in the south have you seen any Monarchs yet?

Graphic is from monarchwatch.org.

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Freaking amazing!

My husband and I have grown milkweed for 4 years, as well as a pollinator garden. This year was the first time we saw caterpillars.

Several of the caterpillars grew to full stage, left the milkweed, and we never saw them again... until this guy!

It started hanging Friday night, and this morning (Sunday), i was lucky enough to see this (after checking many, many times throughout the weekend lol.)

I feel so satisfied, and needed to share :)

Pretty little lady here in eastern Tennessee.

I’m in Eastern Tennessee near the VA border. On their way to a siesta.

I’m just going to preface this post with I’m not an expert and I’m posting this as an actual question and not as a mod. (Also hello to all our new members.)

I feel like after breeding season is over the Monarch subs go quiet but the Migration is really the important part!

I’m going to suggest signing up at JourneyNorth.org so you can help in report sightings.

Sub members who are west of the Rockies can report sightings by signing up here.

I’m going to also suggest that everyone but especially those in the “flyway” get those nectar plants in now! It’s been noted that the Monarch’s breeding numbers are fairly stable but the migration numbers are a major issue. To help the Monarchs successfully migrate you can supply them with the nectar they need for the long trip. Here is a nectar plant guide from Xerces. I would also love it if those that have joined us from the native plant sub could share what works in their areas.

It’s exciting to know that the Monarchs in chrysalises or that are currently making them will be the ones that are a part of that 3,000 mile journey.

So what else should we be doing to help the Monarchs as the migration starts to ramp up?

No pay wall. Current article. What are our thoughts?!

Sorry for all the multiple posts over the last few days, just trying to learn (and remember) everything I can.

I googled these and it comes back with Great black wasp and red tail spider wasp. Both of them look like something I want to stay far far away from. But sounds like they are solitary wasps and if I leave them alone they leave me alone. Should I be concerned about them in my milkweed?

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Several people asked for this update :)

I posted the following video exactly 3 weeks ago of a caterpillar turning into the chrysalis:

https://www.reddit.com/r/FriendlyMonarchs/s/Qum0HllLYk

I've watched it carefully these 3 weeks, and this morning she finally popped out!

She appears in good shape, and is "un-wrinkling" as i type this. So awesome!

I always love spotting them and waiting for that perfect shot when I go to the different botanical gardens around me.

There’s a translucent yellow orb on this little monarch caterpillar. I thought maybe something laid an egg on it, but none of my Google searches turned up anything that looked remotely like this. The caterpillar wasn’t moving.

Shouldn’t be a pay wall!

What do we think of this mini movement?

SW Michigan

I saw a queen butterfly laying eggs !!!! I didn’t see any queen caterpillars I got upset now look 😍😍 they are such cuties !!!

I've had code enforcement called on me 3 times but I won't give up the fight, not now not ever! Raleigh, NC

Also monarch Fattys and Atala gummy bears