We have a special surprise in the gardens at Struan Farm this year: heaps of monarch butterfly caterpillars on the swan plant! I planted a swan plant last year in an effort to support monarchs in the area, since we've often see one or two floating through. Like most things at Struan Farm, the swan plant has thrived. This year we've had two-three butterflies around the flower gardens at the house every day, enjoying the nectar of the echinacea flowers in particular.
It turns out they've also been busy laying eggs on the swan plant! Right now we have what must be 50 caterpillars (or "larvae") stripping the swan plant of its leaves and flowers. I'd been looking out for them, but it was John who discovered them wandering in the garden.
I'm hoping most will make it to the chrysalis or pupa stage before the food runs out. There's a bit of a swan plant crisis this year: not enough plants for all the people trying to help these butterflies. Lots of people communicating online to share when they do find plants available. In our instance I'll let Mother Nature guide this situation, although I have cut up some pumpkin and dropped it below the swan plant, having read that it's a possible alternative if the situation gets dire. I'm going to save seeds from the round pods that have started to form on the plant to see if I can grow some next year.
Apparently monarchs made their way to the Southern Hemisphere in the late 1800s. They didn't arrive in NZ until their food source, swan plant or milkweed, was introduced by accidental importation. These butterflies follow their food, and watching the caterpillars munch their way through my huge plant I can understand why!
These are the seed pods with the eggs on them.
As you can see I'm quite the caterpillar paparazzi at the moment.....
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