Monarch butterflies

[TAIrving]

Early this year we planted a milkweed plant in the hopes it would attract Monarch butterflies.  Yesterday we saw these Monarch caterpillars on it!  They have the same colors as the mature Monarchs.  

Taken with my cell phone - the best camera is the one you have with you.  

[LarryEA]

I applaud  you.

I regret I never planted any

[Scrappile]

Wow,, your milkweed is a lot prettier than the milkweed we have around here..

[Sycamore67]

We have been growing Milkweed and raising Monarchs for several years.  When we find the caterpillars outside we bring them inside and raise them.  All of the caterpillars we brought in successfully made it to Monarchs and were released.

 

[Scrappile]

@Sycamore67 that is neat... I really feel bad.. I have been trying to get rid of milkweed for years... spray, dig, cut... it is considered a noxious weed in our area.... Now that I want some to grow and start taking care of it, it will die for sure!

[Sycamore67]

Milkweed is the only plant the Monarch lay their eggs on and caterpillars feed on.  We have grown a half a dozen or so large patches.  We also grow flowers that the butterflies like to visit.  For us the Zinnia is about the easiest and most hardy.

[Dan]

And, milkweed is really easy to grow (that is why it can be considered a noxious weed). I collected some seeds from butterfly weed (the orange ones) and planted them two weeks ago. Almost all of the sprouted within a week. We get lots of monarchs, caterpillars, and chrysalises.

[Scrappile]

We get very few Monarchs,,, all because of me !