Finding Monarch butterfly wings on ground

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MonnieBC Mays Landing, NJ Oct 09, 2018

Today, I found 12 separate Monarch wings on the ground in the garden, all close together within 2 feet of each other close to some pink vervain and black eyed Susans. I have also seen a praying mantis in that part of the yard also. Is the praying mantis a serial killer or what else could it be? I am not seeing their head, legs, or body... just wings. Sad

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Zen_Man Ottawa, KS(Zone 5b) Oct 18, 2018

A praying mantis is a serial killer (preying mantis), but 12 Monarch wings is rather much, especially if you have just one praying mantis. I also have a few praying mantises in my gardens, and until our recent killing freeze, I had a variety of butterflies, including Monarchs, on my zinnias, and didn't notice any significant predation on the butterflies by the mantises.

Other possible villains would be a garden spider or a bird or birds. Although birds are supposed to recognize that Monarchs are poisonous. Maybe keep close watch on that area and try to catch the villain in action.

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