Texas backyard -- coupled Monarchs, April 6, 2008.
Not much fade, probably 1st generation northbound.
Male has a bit more fade than the female, she looks
"new".  Two other females and another male seen
at the the same time.  One of the females obviously
faded.  These two were still around, coupled, two
hours later while a female spent over an hour
visiting backyard curassavica and depositing
eggs on her on good time.




Photos and webpage by Harlen E. and Altus Aschen
Copyright © 2008 Harlen E. and Altus Aschen
Port Lavaca, Calhoun Co. Texas

Baby larvae circles ...
Their equivalent of "notching" to reduce the
amount of latex.  Latex can be seen smeared
to the outside of the circumference, but seldom
in the inside ... then the inside is eaten away,
leaving the holes ... what we call "larval activity".
Below a larger bruiser notching the petiole of a
curassavica leaf in the classroom to also reduce
the amount latex to the leaf.  In both cases to
hopefully prevent their chewing apparatus
from getting gummed up and to increase their
survivability.  Note the webbing in photos below.

Photos and webpage by Harlen E. and Altus Aschen
Copyright © 2008 Harlen E. and Altus Aschen
Port Lavaca, Calhoun Co. Texas