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Chickie · 06-07-2009, 06:55 PM

A friend introduced me to the Monarch butterfly many years ago. At the time I had a field filled with milkweed and disliked having the seeds flying around every fall. Therefore, I set out to eradicate it from my property. My views have changed drastically since then. One day a friend showed me a yellow and black striped caterpillar munching on my milkweed and informed me that it was actually a Monarch in disguise. It was fascinating to watch it grow larger and eventually reach the pupa stage, hanging from a twig in its chrysalis. In a couple weeks it emerged as a beautiful butterfly and fluttered off into the world. I have since learned that the milkweed is the only plant Monarchs lay their eggs on, as it is the only leaf the caterpillars eat. It is essential for their survival. I now let the milkweed grow at will, so there is an abundant supply. Each summer brings many Monarchs to my back yard and the wild purple asters along my property are also an attraction for them.

Thank you for posting the photos. I will be on the look out for the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail and the American Lady. What do their caterpillars feed on? Are they as selective as the Monarchs?

06-07-2009, 06:55 PM	#2
Chickie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 371 Thanks: 0 Thanked 68 Times in 39 Posts	Butterflies A friend introduced me to the Monarch butterfly many years ago. At the time I had a field filled with milkweed and disliked having the seeds flying around every fall. Therefore, I set out to eradicate it from my property. My views have changed drastically since then. One day a friend showed me a yellow and black striped caterpillar munching on my milkweed and informed me that it was actually a Monarch in disguise. It was fascinating to watch it grow larger and eventually reach the pupa stage, hanging from a twig in its chrysalis. In a couple weeks it emerged as a beautiful butterfly and fluttered off into the world. I have since learned that the milkweed is the only plant Monarchs lay their eggs on, as it is the only leaf the caterpillars eat. It is essential for their survival. I now let the milkweed grow at will, so there is an abundant supply. Each summer brings many Monarchs to my back yard and the wild purple asters along my property are also an attraction for them. Thank you for posting the photos. I will be on the look out for the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail and the American Lady. What do their caterpillars feed on? Are they as selective as the Monarchs?