A Royal Bakers Dozen

The Monday Morning Monarch Report

Thirteen! We have found thirteen Monarch Caterpillars among the Milkweed. We believe them all to be from the female Monarch that visited July 26th, although the rate of growth varies slightly among the group. They all appear to be third instar transitioning to fourth.
​To help keep the groups clear in our heads, we name the caterpillars in the Ice Ballet clump near the Magnolia after saints. The central clump along butterfly bush alley is home to the Beatles. And the Milkweed plants in the very back along the stream comprise the opera house, tenors on one clump and so far a lone soprano. 

The Lives of the Saints

Our largest group is the saints. We were at five until last night when one more was discovered in the smallest plant, a Rose Milkweed, so we named it Anthony. This morning, we found that Matthew and Simon had both molted in the night, likely into fourth instar. Matthew was devouring his old skin for breakfast. Simon looks less impressed with the fare. 

The other saints are Mark, Peter, Anthony, and Luke. 

Meet the Beatles

The Beatles around the bush are the hardest to find, because their clump is by far the thickest. For days, we thought there were only two, but Saturday night we were able to fill out the band and make a fab four. 

The Two Tenors and a Soprano

With all due adoration to Enrico and Maria, Luciano is the star of our group. The biggest, the boldest, the one always out front. He is a WOW caterpillar.