I don't know what killed them. I have to trust that Mother Nature knows what she is doing.
I found 4 monarch caterpillars, but I found three dead, the one attached to the leaf with a bug near it.
Some of The milkweed were hit by frost, and are discoloured.
I wonder if this beetle is to blame. The larvae looks fierce.
Monarch butterfly from last year. I'd forgotten I'd videotaped it. monarch hatches Ain't old age grand?!
...the more monarchs the better.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the chrysalis again. It's so awesome.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteIf it had been predation, you'd think the carcasses would have shown that invasion... You mentioned frost - that might be a more likely factor, though not necessarily the total answer. YAM xx
A mystery.
ReplyDeleteMind blowing pictures
ReplyDeleteI have always thought the emerging monarch was a miracle, a very long time since I watched one in real life.
ReplyDeletePerhaps frost?
ReplyDeleteGood hypotheses. We did have an early frost, which is why (I think) some aren't as bright a green. Not since, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it's predation, so much as defending their turf?
I did dig this area up when we had the yellow jackets were hanging around. They are back, so I didn't get rid of them. I put salt down. I'll bet I did it myself. I feel so dumb.
I've seen fewer as well, Jenn. I love your thought, "We have to trust Mother Nature," although I'm not too sure humans are helping much.
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