While I have a nice little crop of common milkweed in the yard, I’ve also got a small clump of Swamp Milkweed in the catio yard. But it hasn’t been looking that great this year.

The flowers are pretty, but the plants are looking pretty sparse. I didn’t think the monarchs were going bother laying any eggs, but the other day…

I found a couple good-sized caterpillars munching away. In fact, these guys were likely in the last stage before heading off to make a chrysalis.

Before I left for Mom’s on Friday, I went out and did a check, and couldn’t find any of them. I’m hoping when I get back, there will be a chrysalis or two for me to find. Apparently they can travel up to 20 feet away to start the next stage of their life… so it’s a crap shoot on whether I will find them or not.

Back in the common milkweed, we have several caterpillars in various stages.

So maybe the odds are in my favour of finding at least ONE chrysalis this year.