Caterpillars, Monarchs and Milkweed as Summer Ends

The shortened days and cool nights are definite signs that summer is coming to an end, and Nature's creatures are are out there preparing for Fall. September is a good time of year to spot caterpillars. For many, they are busy eating as much as they can before finding a safe spot to harbor for the winter.

Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillars 

The larva of the Milkweed Tussock Moth (Euchaetes egle) is one such caterpillar that will overwinter. As the photo above shows, the caterpillars like to hang out in groups.  The colorful caterpillars that are seen this time of year are the late instar version. The early instar is white to yellowish and only has a few spikes. The middle instar caterpillar begins to develop tufts and may have some black coloring. The last stage has similar coloring as a monarch butterfly. These caterpillars will soon head out on their own to form a cocoon and will not emerge as a moth until the Spring. With the number of caterpillars I've seen, I expect to see several moths after they hatch next year.  

As cool looking as these caterpillars are, I of course get most excited when I see a Monarch caterpillar on the milkweed. I am always looking and was was happy to finally find one just two and a half weeks ago. It was the first for me this year and it looked like it was ready to form a chrysalis which is probably did, as it was gone the next day.

Monarch Caterpillar on Milkweed Leaf

Although the milkweed leaves are disappearing, two weeks ago, I saw a Monarch butterfly planted on a seed pod. I ran back inside the house to get my camera because I had yet to capture a good photo of a Monarch this year. This one was so still and I wondered whether it was laying an egg, or perhaps it was just drying its wings from the early morning dew. In any event it let me get very close and did not fly away. She was beautiful.

Donna Miller owner with her husband of Petals in the Pines in Canterbury, NH and host of an annual Monarch Festival spoke at the New Hampshire Audubon McLane Center last night. In addition to sharing about the life-cycle of the Monarch and their recent decline, (although by all accounts 2018 has been a good year), she explained how to turn your own yard into a  "Monarch Waystation" for which you can become certified. With no special effort and just practicing organic and permaculture principles, our yard meets the criteria.

Because of their beauty and their amazing migratory journey, thousands of people have joined in the crusade to "Save the Monarch."  Sometimes this enthusiasm to shelter and release as many Monarchs as possible can actually have detrimental effects on the population and health of the species. According to several scientific experts and organizations including the Xerces Society, the Monarch Joint Venture, and Andy Davis, author of The Science of Monarch Butterflies blog,  raising monarchs in captivity, especially in large numbers presents numerous risks, including the potential for disease, genetic alteration, and changes in natural behavior. Monarchs are not a threatened or endangered species and by interrupting the natural selection and breeding process there will be consequences, be it good or bad, and these can not be fully understood for years to come. The best support that you can provide to this species is by supporting pollinator friendly habitats: planting or just letting milkweed grow, providing nectar sources for adults,  and leaving certain areas undisturbed as shelter for larva and cocoons. And consider yourself blessed if you are fortunate to see them in the wild.