Last year I let my Swan Plant seeds scatter wherever they wanted to go and, this year, a small 'forest' of them grew down a grassy bank beside our house. Due to the huge wasp and ant problem we have here (i.e. them killing eggs and caterpillars) there have been no Monarch caterpillars throughout the main part of our season - until now.
Where I thought the caterpillar season had ended in this area, the Monarch butterflies had other ideas. As long as our temperatures are remaining warm, they fly and they lay eggs.
Last week I noticed there were caterpillars on those plants so I picked off some of the bigger ones and tucked them into the safety of my caterpillar-castle.
They've grown and grown and now I have four more chrysalis's. Then there are even more caterpillars coming along, out on the plants, so I'll keep bringing the larger ones inside as they grow. I'm doing this because, at this cooling time of year there can be mishaps when butterflies come out of the chrysalis so, by having them close to where I can keep an eye on them I'll be in a position to help any that might need it.
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