Life Cycle
Raising Monarchs
Raising Monarch caterpillars is paradoxically easy and challenging. When all goes well it can be relatively simple. The more caterpillars raised the likelihood of challenges applies.
Challenges include having enough food to feed the voraciously hungry caterpillars; disease (OE) and parasitization. Most of these challenges can be mitigated to some extent.
We have found that offering a combination of native and non-native milkweeds accomplishes our goal of nurturing caterpillars into butterflies. Nectar sources for adults also is met through a combination of native and non-native flowers.
Our methods for supporting Monarchs allows us to successfully raise 100-200 butterflies per year divided across multiple broods.
In the late summer and fall our backyard will be graced with gently gliding Monarchs flying about the yard.