Today, November 18, 2016, I released the fourth of the four monarchs that I brought indoors to raise. That makes four in November and five total adults released since I started planting milkweed in early spring. Four males, one female. At least six or seven caterpillars that I left on the plants disappeared, presumably they… Continue reading Danaus plexippus: Fourth of Four Monarchs
Year: 2016
Danaus plexippus: Four Monarchs
Three of the butterflies, two males and one female, emerged on November 16. the fourth, a male, emerged the following day. The fourth was about one day behind the first three in its development. In the video, the fourth Monarch’s chrysalis is still opaque green. I kept the first three butterflies in their enclosure overnight… Continue reading Danaus plexippus: Four Monarchs
A Dragonfly Hitches a Ride: The Blue-Eyed Darner
Cyclist Jon Scott was cruising along at 25 miles per hour (mph) when he noticed that there was something itchy on his head. He decided to stop and investigate. When he removed his shiny black helmet he found that a Blue-eyed darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor, syn. Aeshna multicolor) dragonfly had been hitching a ride. The Blue-eyed darner… Continue reading A Dragonfly Hitches a Ride: The Blue-Eyed Darner
Danaus plexippus: Beyond the Fourth Instar – Part II
Quick preface to Part II, to see more photos of Seven and the Monarch life-cycle, check out the gallery. On the morning of his release, “Seven” took awhile to fly away. First he walked around the perimeter, then along the edge of the open mesh door flap of the enclosure. He worked his wings steadily, but seemed to… Continue reading Danaus plexippus: Beyond the Fourth Instar – Part II