Last spring I started replacing non-native with native California plants around our house. I started with a couple small plots front and back and a slope on one side of our house. This spring I expanded this effort to include additional areas in the front and back yards. The plants I put in this spring included a… Continue reading Ceanothus (California Lilac)
Category: California Natives – Flora
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
Danaus plexippus: Beyond the Fourth Instar – Part I
As soon as the Monarch caterpillar is large enough to be seen on a milkweed plant, it becomes a potential snack for certain bird species that are not affected by the toxins the caterpillar ingests by eating milkweed. As the caterpillar develops from first through fifth instar, its size and increased mobility make it easier for predators to see. I do not know which… Continue reading Danaus plexippus: Beyond the Fourth Instar – Part I
Danaus plexippus Larva: Fodder for Ants
The Monarch caterpillar that I featured in a couple previous posts died about three weeks ago, just before it was about to molt one last time and pupate. My sadness at finding it lying lifeless a couple feet from its milkweed plant seemed out of proportion. I did not have the heart to post about… Continue reading Danaus plexippus Larva: Fodder for Ants