u/SuperTFAB

A volunteer common milkweed started me on my native obsession. It has since taken me years to locate all the seeds for all the different native milkweeds that grow in VA. It has taken even longer to get them all growing and flowering. I have seen all but one flower, which will happen next year, now that I've moved some from the rabbits. I hope you enjoy the pictures and variety as much as I do

1- Asclepias lanceolata, fewflower milkweed

2- Asclepias purpurascens, purple milkweed

3- Asclepias tuberosa, butterfly milkweed

4- Asclepias quadrifolia, fourleaf milkweed

5- Asclepias exaltata, poke milkweed

6- Asclepias variegata, redring milkweed

7- Asclepias longifolia var. longifolia, longleaf milkweed

8- Asclepias viridiflora, green comet milkweed

9- Asclepias rubra, red milkweed

10- Asclepias verticillata, whorled milkweed

11- Asclepias syriaca, common milkweed

12- Asclepias incarnata, swamp milkweed

13- Asclepias amplexicaulis, clasping milkweed

I know they congregate over the winter in Mexico and California, but I'm in Chicago, IL. Is this just a migration stop for them (like birds)? I've never seen this before, and idk if this has anything to do with it, but this happened during the late afternoon during and after a light rain.

More often than not the monarchs stop on my property in large numbers but this year I've seen more than ever throughout the year and they are a couple weeks early.

Anyone else see bigger numbers or am I just lucky this year?

Also I don't hear about many others getting to see this, do they have specific routes and stops or is my acre of goldenrod I keep for them every year attracting them here you think?

Monarchs and an eastern tiger swallowtail!

I knew this egg was close and it was my intention to take pics every couple hours. I didn’t really see that it was starting to hatch. And when I went back for the third pic it was gone. Found it on the other side of the leaf. I didn’t clean up the second pic because the focus was off.

Beenq lurking here for a bit, but first year I’ve really focused on planting native. Sowed my butterfly milkweed last fall…was happy enough when it bloomed but this is even better. So happy. Thought I’d share.

There were at least nine monarchs around this one plant alone!

I had the pleasure of watching this beautiful creature enter the world today. Swipe to see their journey in reverse 🧡🖤

Little while ago, I posted about Monarch caterpillars aplenty on the milkweed. Unfortunately, about 4-5 of those chrysalis(es?) hatched while we were away for the weekend but we managed to catch couple of them in action. here's some pictures!

All of the black spots are OE spores.

https://www.monarchparasites.org/oe

Hello, Im just north of Cincinnati. I found this monarch butterfly struggling with a chrysalis still stuck to its wing after doing some vine maintenance. Anyone know if it will get the chrysalis off eventually or should I try to help it? Is there a place in the area i could possibly take it to? Ill try to get better pictures.

Felt really good today, we had 6 Monarchs at one time in our 1 year old Butterfly Garden in Michigan. Managed to capture this cool picture with 4 on one plant. When we purchased the house the garden was ornamental grass and hostas. So this has been an awesome change!