When I first planted the Tropical Milkweed I was hoping they would attract the Monarch Butterfly which is not as common here as in the States, but none yet. Then the other day I found 3 caterpillars on one of the Milkweed plants and with the iNaturalist AI have identified them as caterpillars of the Queen – Danaus gilippus butterfly (Linked to my gallery) which is related to the Monarch. Maybe in the near future I will have some fresh Queens birthed in my garden! 🙂 So far, the only two Queens I’ve seen have been elsewhere.
I’m hoping that their eating all the leaves off my best Milkweed plant will not kill it! 🙂 They were first planted between two tall flowers and thus only get sunshine midday which is really not enough sun for milkweed. I just a few days ago planted 3 more Milkweeds in a different part of the garden where they get both morning and midday sun, so hopefully they will do better! I’m on the side of a hill with lots of trees, so plants like this that need lots of sunshine will always struggle on my little lot.
(Note that most leaves are already eaten!) 🙂
(Note that most leaves are already eaten!) 🙂
¡Pura Vida!
I have not focused on caterpillars, but do have a little gallery with what caterpillars I’ve photographed in Costa Rica at CATERPILLARS (linked) with most in the “Unidentified” folder for a total of 15 species, assuming no overlap or duplication.
Beautiful photos. When Don and I were members of the Garden Club in Leakey,TX, we dedicated part of the property for milkweed, safe hatchings, etc. Leakey must have been on the migration route to Mexico.
That’s great Pat! More people need to being doing that. I’ve heard that Monarchs cannot survive without Milkweed. It is not as common here in CR, but the tropical version (a subspecies) blooms year-a-round. Hoping mine will eventually attract some Monarchs, but I’ve seen several other butterfly species feeding on my new plants, so I may try to add some more where there is lots of sunshine which they require. Though I’m in a mostly shady yard.