milkweed abundance

[brian cassie]

Hi,

   For those of us raising Monarch caterpillars, it is essential, of course, to have a good supply of fresh, green milkweed plants. I looked at one of my perennial "milkweed fields" this morning, a field that normally hosts hundreds of milkweed plants, and found exactly two milkweeds growing. BAD! I started wondering if all of the fields would be poor because of the drought conditions. Then, I checked out a new location nearby and found 700 milkweed plants growing. And a Monarch flying around. GREAT! Love the Buzzard's Bay coast but it's too far to drive for caterpillar food. 

   So, I am raising Monarchs, Spicebush Swallowtails, and Gypsy Moth-loving parasitoid wasps. Keeps me on my toes and mostly out of trouble.

   Brian Cassie, Foxboro

   p.s.   Please try to come to the Massachusetts Butterfly Club's fall meeting at Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, whether you are a new member or have been in the club since its beginning, 25 years ago.