r/MonarchButterfly

Wild monarch taking her time to lay an egg in the milkweed garden

Is anyone else now starting to see monarch butterflies anywhere in the country? The last one I saw here in Clarkston Michigan was Monday, June 29 and then another one came today on the Fourth of July and laid four eggs.

(today is my birthday, shadowed by the country I'm in)

I haven't even seen a single adult monarch!

I had been fighting a war with aphids on my swamp milkweed and a few days ago saw these guys taking care of the problem for me. I just wanted to know what they are and how to thank them for all of their hard work.

Hi eggs! Ive never posted on here but while outside this morning I spotted a monarch flying around my milkweed! I realized she was laying eggs which is my first time witnessing it! It was so beautiful and I'm just in awe. I looked and from what I found she laid 7 eggs. I brought 4 in and left the other 3 outside to do their thing. I will keep an eye on those ones in case I can help out. Thos is my second year with my milkweed. Ive been given eggs before over the past 5 years but this really brings me happiness. I found 2 caterpillars, released one yesterday and waiting for the other to emerge.

I have another cat munching away!

I thought I would share it with people that have their heart in this too!

All of today’s 6 eclosures were male.
Only 6 of local first generation left hanging but another 12 hatchlings and 30 eggs in process for second generation.

To date this week 43 releases with 7 pending out of 52 eggs tracked.

Doing well.

I have been searching for different options because all I have been able to find is tropical. Zone 9. Is this a better option!?!? Asking for my VERY hungry caterpillars!!

I noticed one of my caterpillars J hanging under my milkweed today. I hung around for a bit and was lucky enough to see it start changing!

So I have a pretty big patch of milk weed, with some more scattered throughout my yard, another patch out front mixed in with butterfly weed. And….nothing. No monarchs. I have a healthy patch of native flowers around and right next to this I have lemon balm and a native honeysuckle bush. Any thoughts? I’m near Chicago

First eggs of next gen moving from incubator tray to plants.

I believe it’s a male? Taken July 3, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.

Yesterday I posted a photo of my first Monarch caterpillar, Rex. He was happy and munching milkweed like crazy. Then, only a couple hours later, I noticed some poop on a leaf (I think it’s poop?) and not long after, Rex was dangling from a leaf with a slight curve in his tail.

I thought maybe he was beginning to pupate, but we noticed some black drips below him.

This morning when I went out to check on him, I found him shriveled and dead in the soil with goo coming out of his head and tail.😔😢💔

I want to understand what might have happened to him so I can prevent this going forward. I have bought a butterfly enclosure, and I plan to put my other baby caterpillar in that today.

If you all don’t mind looking at the photos, can you please help me understand what went wrong? Here are a few things to note:

- I did water the milkweed yesterday. I watered only at the soil level, but a light mist of water did get on the leaves accidentally.

- I saw an awful-looking reddish colored wasp nosing around some other milkweed flowers nearby yesterday.

From your experience, what might have caused this?

Do I need to pull out the milkweed? Should I dig up some of the soil around where he is, so it doesn’t contaminate the area?

I’m so sad to lose him and recently bought 15+ milkweed plants, hoping to begin attracting Monarchs. This is so upsetting.😢

If anyone has advice, I would so appreciate it.

Thanks.

(Photos are all from yesterday and today.)

California zone 10A/9B. Seen so many monarchs around lately. Great to see that they love my little patch of milkweed I have for them! (All eggs on Narrowleaf milkweed) I use Tuberosa exclusively for nectar.)

First time seeing one emerge from their chrysalis! And we have another chunky guy about to undergo metamorphosis.

I planted what I am calling my beautiful butterfly garden about 2 months ago. Tonight I find four of these cuties chomping on the swamp weed I planted! I was not expecting to see them so quickly! I was so excited, I needed to share with people who might understand my excitement!

It looks like he's missing a part of his butt and a leg... Think he can be saved or should I put him in the freezer?