A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Danaus plexippus
Found as a late instar caterpillar on wild milkweed in early July. Maintained on leaves from milkweed until pupation. Sorry, I do not have a photo of the chrysalis. Emerged on July 14, 2014 and was released the same morning. Believed to be female based on thick black veins on hindwings and lack of the characteristic spotted veins found on male hindwings. The chrysalis also had a very small slit which is used to sex pupating monarchs as female. More info on sexing: http://www.monarchwatch.org/biology/sexi...
Found on wild (probably swamp) milkweed. There is a gravel pit near my home, and the road that leads to it has large patches of milkweed in the swampy areas along it.
This hungry gal went through a whole bag of milkweed leaves (kept refrigerated) in only a few days. It was so fun to raise her, even if I only had her in my care for her last instar.
Spotted on Jul 9, 2014
Submitted on Jul 29, 2014
No Comments