Tag Archives: monarch caterpillar

Scientific Research in Progress at the San Antonio River Museum Reach Milkweed Patch

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

Scientific research underway by the Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project at the San Antonio River Milkweed Patch. SLIDESHOW Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly Life Cycle, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, San Antonio Museum Reach, San Antonio River Walk, Where to see butterflies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

San Antonio Museum Reach Milkweed Patch Becomes Official Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project Site

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

San Antonio’s Milkweed Patch Becomes Latest Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project Site and First to be monitored in 2012, as Monarch Butterflies take up permanent residence in San Antonio. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly Life Cycle, Butterflybeat, climate change, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, San Antonio Museum Reach, San Antonio River Walk, Where to see butterflies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Butterfly FAQ: Pros and Cons of Tropical Milkweed and What to do with a Winter Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar or Chrysalis

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

Butterfly FAQs today: What to do with late season Monarch caterpillars you find this winter? And, some thoughts on the pros and cons of Tropical milkweed, that hearty, ubiquitous Monarch butterfly host plant. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly gardening, Butterfly Life Cycle, Butterflybeat, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, San Antonio River Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

UPDATE: Winter Monarch Butterflies are Reproducing at the Museum Reach Milkweed Patch on the San Antonio River Walk

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Monika Maeckle

Winter Monarch butterflies are hooking up on the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk. University of Minnesota graduate student Kelly Nail visits to monitor their progress at our favorite public milkweed patch. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly Life Cycle, Butterflybeat, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, Queen caterpillar, San Antonio River Walk | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Queen and Monarch Butterflies Share Beauty, Charm and Gold Dotted Chrysalises: How to Tell the Difference

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Monika Maeckle

Queen butterflies and Monarch butterflies share beauty, charm and gorgeous chrysalises as endearing traits. That said, it’s often hard to tell the difference between the two. here’s some tips on distinguishing these butterfly beauties from each other. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly Life Cycle, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Queen Butterfly, Queen caterpillar | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Butterfly FAQ: Is Relocating a Monarch Chrysalis OK? Yes, and Here’s Tips On How to Handle Them With Care

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Monika Maeckle

Butterfly FAQ: Is it OK to relocate a Monarch chrysalis after its formed? Answer: Yes, and here’s some tips on what to keep in mind when you do. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly gardening, Butterflybeat, Eastern Swallowtail, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

How to Raise Butterflies-to-Be: Rearing Caterpillars the Topic at Monday’s Austin Butterfly Forum

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Monika Maeckle

Ever wonder about the best way to raise caterpillars at home for fun?  I do, and experiment all the time–with mixed success.  That’s why I’m so looking forward to the Austin Butterfly Forum’s “How to Raise Caterpillars” meeting on Monday, … Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly gardening, Butterfly Life Cycle, Butterflybeat, Eastern Swallowtail, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Queen Butterfly, Queen caterpillar, Where to see butterflies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Texas Hill Country Update on Milkweed and Monarch Butterfly Eggs and Caterpillars with Tips on How to Find Them

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Monika Maeckle

Tips from the Llano River on how to find Monarch butterfly eggs and caterpillars plus a tour of the Texas Hill Country attest to the enduring resilience of native milkweed plants. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly gardening, Butterfly Life Cycle, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Native Plant Sales, Butterfly Events Slated for This Weekend and Beyond

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Monika Maeckle

Native plant sales and how to raise a caterpillar workshops among butterfly events slated for April in Central and South Texas. Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly gardening, Butterfly Life Cycle | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Monarch Caterpillars Have Supersized Appetites, Eat 200X their Weight in Milkweed Leaves

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Monika Maeckle

According to Monarch Watch, the citizen scientist program that monitors the Monarch butterfly migration and started the tagging program, monarch caterpillars consume 200x their birthweight in milkweed leaves in about a two-week period. Commercial butterfly breeders suggest that a single caterpillar can easily decimate an entire one-gallon milkweed plant–175 leaves per caterpillar. Of course, it depends on the milkweed you supply. Our native Texas milkweed, Antelope Horns, Asclepias asperula, is much heftier than the Tropical Milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, found in nuseries right now–like a beef steak compared to lettuce. Yet, when the Monarchs are flying, any milkweed is better than none.

Sound impossible? Watch the video.
Continue reading →

Posted in Butterfly Life Cycle, Butterflybeat, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar | Tagged , , | 3 Comments