I planted two swamp milkweed patches from Earth Sangha two years ago. We didn’t see any monarch caterpillars that first year, but we found over 20 in year two. We only saw three make it through the cocoon stage and don’t know if the others were eaten or left the milkweed patches to pupate.
It's surprisingly hard to keep tabs on those caterpillars, isn't it? We also had many monarchs eating our milkweed last year but only found a handful of chrysalises. Just have to hope that they found good spots to pupate that were out of sight.
Great informative piece! I watched a black swallowtail appearing to lay eggs on parsley & Zizia aurea in our yard on 3/23/26 & verified she had indeed done so. Fingers crossed they can handle tonight’s low of 32° F & an upcoming 30° F. I was surprised to see one out this early (central VA, near Richmond). We continue to add native plants each year (only been here 2 years). Fingers crossed for American Ladies on our Pearly Everlasting this year.
Wow! Fantastic observation. It does seem quite early for a black swallowtail adult to be flying in March, since they overwinter as pupae, but hey, these are the times we live in. In normal cycles, the caterpillars should hatch within 4 to 10 days, so you might see some very soon if it stays warm enough. Keep us posted!
The American Lady Caterpillars are super cool. They wrap themselves in the leaves of their host plants entirely as a survival strategy. The plants look terrible while the caterpillars are feeding - a glued up mess. They recover very quickly when the caterpillars have pupated, though. No concern for the plants. Just a cool thing to observe! There's a photo in my article "Please Eat My Plants" if you feel like looking at my feed for it. I've seen Painted Ladies do the same on Borage in my garden, too. May your garden be filled with a ton of caterpillars this year.
Every year is a caterpillar year in my garden. 🐛♥️🌱🐛🌱♥️🐛 There is nothing more enjoyable for me than to observe them eating the buffet I've set out. And yes, this includes Tobacco Hornworms on my tomatoes as much as American Ladies on my Pearly Everlasting. A very nice article. 😊
Yay! Ohhhh, tobacco hornworms are so rad, I mean, maybe not for the tomatoes, but you know, caterpillar priorities! 😍 And of course I love the Ladies too because they are Vanessas! Thanks for sharing, Kristi!
Great post Vanessa. The way caterpillars can mimic other things is quite remarkable - and when it comes to snakes, few can do better than this sphinx moth caterpillar, https://www.flickr.com/photos/andreaskay/26063436776/in/gallery-126114654@N05-72157723508905144/ !
Yikes, I would jump back from that little guy for sure! How incredible. Thank you for sharing, Dennis!
I planted two swamp milkweed patches from Earth Sangha two years ago. We didn’t see any monarch caterpillars that first year, but we found over 20 in year two. We only saw three make it through the cocoon stage and don’t know if the others were eaten or left the milkweed patches to pupate.
It's surprisingly hard to keep tabs on those caterpillars, isn't it? We also had many monarchs eating our milkweed last year but only found a handful of chrysalises. Just have to hope that they found good spots to pupate that were out of sight.
LOVE this, Nessa! Gold stars for sure... Leave the leaf litter needs a bumper sticker!!!
Indeed! I believe there is one (there are definitely lawn signs) that says “Leave the Leaves”!
Great informative piece! I watched a black swallowtail appearing to lay eggs on parsley & Zizia aurea in our yard on 3/23/26 & verified she had indeed done so. Fingers crossed they can handle tonight’s low of 32° F & an upcoming 30° F. I was surprised to see one out this early (central VA, near Richmond). We continue to add native plants each year (only been here 2 years). Fingers crossed for American Ladies on our Pearly Everlasting this year.
Wow! Fantastic observation. It does seem quite early for a black swallowtail adult to be flying in March, since they overwinter as pupae, but hey, these are the times we live in. In normal cycles, the caterpillars should hatch within 4 to 10 days, so you might see some very soon if it stays warm enough. Keep us posted!
The American Lady Caterpillars are super cool. They wrap themselves in the leaves of their host plants entirely as a survival strategy. The plants look terrible while the caterpillars are feeding - a glued up mess. They recover very quickly when the caterpillars have pupated, though. No concern for the plants. Just a cool thing to observe! There's a photo in my article "Please Eat My Plants" if you feel like looking at my feed for it. I've seen Painted Ladies do the same on Borage in my garden, too. May your garden be filled with a ton of caterpillars this year.
Every year is a caterpillar year in my garden. 🐛♥️🌱🐛🌱♥️🐛 There is nothing more enjoyable for me than to observe them eating the buffet I've set out. And yes, this includes Tobacco Hornworms on my tomatoes as much as American Ladies on my Pearly Everlasting. A very nice article. 😊
Yay! Ohhhh, tobacco hornworms are so rad, I mean, maybe not for the tomatoes, but you know, caterpillar priorities! 😍 And of course I love the Ladies too because they are Vanessas! Thanks for sharing, Kristi!