Not Brug related, but I thought this was neat and wanted to share... also, one did attach itself to a Datura leaf.
Mike, thanks again for the Milkweed, never would have seen this were it not for you.
Nice pics. Are they still in your garden this time of year? I raised some monarchs inside last season so the kids could watch them. I also had a large number of parasitic wasps so I didn't think to many would make it if they remained outside. I had pretty good success, 26 eggs and 23 butterflies successfully eclosed. I was lucky enough to catch one changing into a chrysalis on video. No matter how many times I see it I'm still amazed.
I want a donkey!!!!!! Actually I want a few goats and a donkey but my husband keeps saying absolutely not. He said that he doesn't want to be the one to have to take care of them if I decide that I'm too busy to go to the farm everyday : (
Karyn
Monarchs are pretty! Had quite a few last summer (thanks to milkweed!) Hopefully they will return. I have not had a donkey, but when I raised horses, I also had a Mule! and a goat that ate everything I tried to grow then. I did enjoy the stubborn Mule and even rode him on occasion--he was a real trip! But really sweet. My neighbor had a donkey and he and the mule were best buddies. (Wow just thought about that--that was 30 years ago! Time does fly!)
I grow milkweed for the monarchs also, I didn't see any catepillars this year but have in previous years. I planted milkweed in the park this winter in hope of having more monarchs this year. I hope it sprouts, I had a lot of seed pods.
Michele
Jacksonville, Fl
Zone 9a
Nature, in order to be commanded must be obeyed. Sir Francis Bacon
Karyn, my donkeys are fun (especially in the summer time), but your husband is right ---- I don't enjoy them as much when I have to put on half my wardrobe, my boots and head gear when it is cold and rainy and walk a distance to feed them.
But when I see how grateful they are, it makes it all worth while.
I'd love to see pics of your donkey (s). The neighboring farms have horses but I haven't been on a horse in years and really have no desire to ride anymore. The neighbors near my house raise sheep but they're just kind of smelly and not much fun. Some of my other neighbors raise exotic fowl which are pretty to look at, but again, not much fun and so noisy! Something about a donkey has always been so appealing to me and I've wanted one for the longest time. They just seem to have personality, goats also but not as much as a donkey.
Karyn
Thanks.
Karyn, yes they're here at this time of year. The last two pictures were taken the day before I posted them. Actually, I'm wondering how I can get missy Monarch to slow down on the laying of eggs for a little while, there's almost no Milkweed left for the next group of caterpillars about to hatch.
Shirley, I'm working on a patch of Milkweed for them, so maybe if more start breeding down here, you'll have more up there during the summers?
I hope so Lynne. I have lots of wild milkweed around the three acres and have planted asclepias (I hope that is spelled right) in my flower bed amd behind one of the sheds in full sun. My neighbor also tries to encourage them to lay eggs at their place.
