16 Sep 2013

Caterpillar Cannibalism: Monarch butterfly caterpillar eats Monarch egg for lunch

by | posted in: Butterfly Life Cycle, Llano River, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, Monarch Watch, Uncategorized | 3

In a case of caterpillar cannibalism, a Monarch butterfly caterpillar eats a Monarch egg for lunch. Plus: Llano River update.… Read More
7 May 2013

Mostly Native Urban Butterfly Garden Outperforms Lawn Anytime in San Antonio

by | posted in: Butterfly gardening, Butterfly Life Cycle, Eastern Swallowtail, how-to, Jimsonweed, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, Queen Butterfly, Seedballs, seeds | 10

Last year about this time, we detailed a turf-to-bed conversion in the front yard of our rent house in the downtown Lavaca neighborhood of San Antonio.  We thought it would be helpful to share what happened over the past year … Read More

Antelope Horns Milkweed
25 Apr 2013

Got Milkweed? Updated Plant Guide for Central and South Texas

by | posted in: Butterfly gardening, Butterfly Life Cycle, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, seeds | 34

Our first Milkweed Guide posted back in the fall of 2010 and has continued to be one of our most-read blogposts.   With spring here and butterfly gardeners chomping at the bit to create host and nectar habitat for Monarchs … Read More
12 Apr 2013

Part Two: More Tips for Raising Monarch Caterpillars and Butterflies at Home

by | posted in: Butterfly Life Cycle, how-to, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar | 96

Last week’s post on raising Monarch butterflies at home sparked a a slew of questions, comments and emails.   I figured I’d better get back here and clarify a few things. First, I left out the part about what to … Read More
18 Mar 2013

Faded FOS Monarch Butterfly Lays Eggs in San Antonio Despite Dreary Population Reports

by | posted in: Butterfly Life Cycle, climate change, Drought, Mexico, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration | 1

My first day of earnest butterfly gardening of 2013 met with a sweet surprise:  my FOS (First of Season) Monarch butterfly, Sunday, March 17. And, it was a faded female, fluttering in my mulched front yard garden, lighting from one … Read More
13 Mar 2013

Persnickety Texas Milkweeds "May not Lend Themselves to Mass Seed Production"

by | posted in: Butterfly gardening, climate change, Drought, Llano River, Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Monarch caterpillar, Monarch Migration, Monarch Watch, Texas Hill Country | 12

Native American Seed Company is on a mission to restore the earth, one native seed at a time. The 300-acre spread about 115 miles west of San Antonio on the banks of the Llano River just northeast of Junction, Texas, boasts 75 … Read More

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