Dear Monarch friends,
Several days ago, I sent you a photo of the lone Monarch butterfly gracing my garden. I guess all you need is one female looking for a good place to lay an egg! I have scoured my plants and have found a few eggs. It’s exciting nonetheless.
As you can see, the egg is about the size of a pinhead, and protrudes conically from the underside of the leaf. Take a look to see if you find any eggs. It should hatch into the first instar 3-8 days after being laid.
Some interesting facts:

• After Monarch butterflies mate, sperm are stored in the female until released to fertilize eggs, which may occur weeks or even months after mating. Fertilization occurs just before an egg is to be laid.
• Research shows that flavonol glycosides in the milkweed stimulate egg laying. Having milkweed around actually speeds up egg development.
• Females lay one egg at a time, but can lay many in a single day.

I am headed out before the rain starts to see if I can find more eggs. Good luck!
Judy