Last month I found this caterpillar on the sidewalk out front. I helped it by moving it across the sidewalk in the direction it was headed so a bird or other predator wouldn't find him so easily. I watched to see if I could see where it might go to pupate. I lost it, I could never find it again.
Then today on the Butterfly Weed that is growing out back I found another Monarch caterpillar creeping up on some of the nearly dried up Butterfly Weed plants. This does give me hope for the future. I look at these plants daily. I am surprised I haven't seen more of these caterpillars before today. This is the first time I have found Monarch caterpillars in my garden in a long time. I hope they grow up and return next year.
While out and about I came across this huge pile of scat. I am not even going to try to id it but what was so fascinating about it is that it was covered with butterflies, bees and beetles. You can see the Monarchs, Pearl Crescents, Buckeye and Painted Lady Butterflies. Did I say Lady? Anyway...
If we have a little closer look you can see the bees.
and the beetles.
I wish I knew the bees and beetles a little better. Can you tell what they might be?
