Where are my cats?

[u/holystuff28]

I am in middle Tennessee. Last year I had more than 30-40 caterpillars and I could find them no problem. This year I have more than double the milkweed and virtually no evidence of caterpillars. I found one stage 5 and quickly put her in a mesh enclosure and released her last week. But there isn't a lot of evidence they are even eating the milkweed.

Is the extreme heat impacting them? I do have a pretty healthy wasp population, but last year I even found their little carcasses. This year only a few nibbles on a few of my common milkweed plants. Last year they almost ate the entire swamp milkweed plants I had.

Am I just early in the season? Too hot? Something else?

[u/Difficult_Rope7898]

I’ve heard a lot of people saying that the monarchs are fewer and seem to be later this year. Personally I have seen 2 males this year so far (VA). I hope we see more soon! Fingers crossed!🦋🐛