The sweet scent of milkweed was calling me as I wandered around at dawn, tea cup in hand, wearing a sweatshirt against the unseasonal chill in the air. I could see a few deer in the weeds, nursing their young in the lot next door and there was a conversation between two cardinals I overheard as I strolled out front toward nature’s incense.
I had been checking the milkweed each day, looking for eggs, hoping. I had noticed several holes in the leaves; a sign that something was eating the leaves, then I saw it!
I rushed back in for my camera; monarchical paparazzi that I am.
There on a leaf was a Monarch caterpillar, munching and inching its way along a milkweed plant. I must have gone back to check on it five or six times yesterday, and repeatedly today. Under a leaf, up and down the stem, even half hidden in between the flowers of the plant, there was this very hungry caterpillar, marching his way on the host plant.
A lone Monarch caterpillar sharing the gifts of a milkweed plant with bumblebees and ants is not going to alter the precarious plight of the Monarch butterfly, but, to me, this black and yellow striped insect brings the tiniest bit of hope that perhaps, just perhaps, there will be a few more Monarchs this summer and that they will go forth and multiply.
Be sure to click on the photos for a better look.
When I was a youngster, milkweed was a “weed,” pure and simple. It’s such a shame that so much of our knowledge comes late in life, frequently after much damage has already been done (man has been so careless with the gifts we were given). Now I want to find some milkweed in bloom so that I may know that “sweet scent” of which you write and look for a Monarch caterpillar or two.
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Some still consider it a weed, Karen. It’s unfortunate that a happy balance could not have been met so that we didn’t reach the dilemma we are in now. I hope you can find some milkweed, for it truly is a sweet scent. I was, as were other, particularly alarmed last year. I only saw one Monarch all summer. To find this caterpillar was so exciting – and now I’ve found a second. 🙂
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Oh Penny! Thank you for showing me the most beautiful sight I’ve seen in weeks. 🙂 Ever since I’d heard about the disappearance of monarch butterflies, I’ve been in mourning. I’m so glad to see that caterpillar inching along! Sadly, I haven’t seen a caterpillar around here in so long. So glad to have hope that more monarchs will arrive this summer.
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You are most welcome, L. Marie. 🙂 All of last summer, I saw only one Monarch. It was so, so sad, so, it was with much excitement that I welcomed this caterpillar. Tonight – I found another, and with it the hope that there will be more. Enjoy your 4th.
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Am so impressed with your keen, observant stakeout of the monarch caterpillar! Wish you had time-lapse photography so we could see the birth of the precious butterfly. You have such good company with the deer and cardinals. That little caterpillar must know that it picked the most perfect place in your garden to evolve. Fingers crossed for more sightings!
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I was in a panic this afternoon, Marilyn, for the caterpillar had disappeared. Then, this evening, there it was, even bigger than before. Your crossed fingers were good luck, for, just after I found the hungry caterpillar, there was another one on another milkweed plant, still very small, but, will grow as well, I hope.
This morning, we watched out the kitchen doors as a doe and her twin fawns ate mulberries off of the trees. 🙂 Enjoy your 4th, Marilyn. We are having the most perfect weather here.
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We all LOVE having a ‘monarchical paparazzi’ in our midst, Penny! The Very Hungry Caterpillar on your milkweed brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing all of the photos. I have never smelled the scent of milkweed. I really must, must, must plant milkweed in my garden!! I have thought about it for several years… and you have inspired me to take action! In the meantime, this weekend, we will take a walk along the prairie to experience the scent of the milkweed growing there. Marilyn is so right…That little caterpillar chose the perfect garden to make its home! ♡
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You are welcome, Dawn. He really was posing quite nicely for the camera. 🙂
We now have a second Monarch caterpillar, very small right now, but, will grow and grow and grow.
I have the common milkweed, which can get, well, weedy, though I”m trying to contain it. You might try swamp milkweed,, which is more well behaved. The common kind, however, has a most exotic fragrance. I’m sure you’ll find some along the path and I do hope you catch a whiff of it – and even see a caterpillar. Happy 4th of July. (and yes, I’d love to meet you in a garden sometime)
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Yay! A second monarch caterpillar! Thanks for the tips on different kinds of milkweed. Swamp milkweed sounds a bit easier to control. So, I will look around for a plant to add to our garden. My husband was excited to hear about your caterpillars, too! ♡
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Good luck. If you can’t find it now, Dawn, you might want to try starting it from seed. I hope both of you will be as excited as we are here soon. 🙂
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I’m so excited for you, Penny! I’m still waiting, but I’m doing the same, checking every day! My mother and I both keep a sharp eye out for evidence of eggs, and I haven’t really seen any–or haven’t recognized them if they are there. But the Monarchs have been regular visitors, so I must assume we will have success at some point. I really like the look of your milkweed. I think it’s much prettier than the varieties that I recently purchased. And I haven’t noticed any fragrance with mine, so that’s exciting, too. I can almost hear you squeal with delight when you discovered your little garden visitor. I hope that you and Tom enjoy some July 4th festivities. We are staying pretty close to home and very low-key…the dog isn’t doing too well with the fireworks. Poor thing needs us. LOL!
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The eggs are very tiny, Debra. I’ve seen them, but, missed them on this milkweed, so especially delighted when I saw the caterpillar. I was surprised to find a second caterpillar last night in another plant. It is sucking away on a one of the tiny flowers of the plant. It’s really encouraging to see – and fun.I keep checking to see if it is cocooning, which I’d love to watch. I hope the Karina and Sophia get to see this play out in your garden. The fragrance is intoxicating. It is so encouraging to see this – if only a few Monarchs, it is something.
We’re staying close and quiet today as well. I miss the days of large gatherings here, but, times have changed. We do have the ever magnificent Cutoff parade, so, saving myself for the 5 minutes of excited. 🙂 Enjoy your 4th and family. 🙂
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I still get excited every time I see a monarch, or a caterpillar. I hope it survives and that you get to watch the chrysalis forming and hatching.
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So far, it is thriving Juliet. 🙂 I thought I’d lost it yesterday, but, then there it was again. I would so love to watch the chrysalis forming and keep checking. We have a second caterpillar, on another milkweed, so things are looking up.
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There is hope for the world! Thanks for sharing it. And how fun that you have your own photo illustrations of an old favorite book to share with the grands .
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There have been a few more caterpillars, Sallie, AND, a Monarch flitted by this weekend. 🙂 The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar on the Cutoff. 🙂 Love it!
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I found one tiny caterpillar eating the leaves of mine too and have to check closer to see if it is the same as yours. Yours is much bigger, but then so are your plants!
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Keep watching it, Janet. They grow pretty fast and are fun to observe. If you have a caterpillar there must have been a butterfly, probably a Monarch around. Ellen, my friend who had the milkweed, has a lot of them right right. Enjoy!
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