Monarchs

Hi all,
Has anyone been discussing monarchs in California? I've been growing asclepias tuberosa and came across an article (believe it was in the Orange County Register) and it mentioned that a certain percentage will return to place of (birth?) (hatching?) What I've noticed this past year is that I seem to have an almost constant cycle of eggs, chrysalis, emerging. I had originally assumed that I would draw monarchs as they were passing through, but now looks as though I do have a certain number that are staying here. I'm now feeling an even greater responsibility for making sure that I have large enough stands of asclepias and that I get my neighbors to do likewise in case we move. What do you think? Also read somewhere that the native asclepias (swampweeds) would bestow more protection to the cats in the way of toxicity to protect them from birds. True? I 'd appreciate any input. Thanks

WC...yes, I too grow asclepias but have never experienced them returning...although how would I know? They all look the same !!!

I had lots of larvae in February which hatched...but none since then.
Those big black crows were eating the larvae...which I thought wouldn't happen...I deliberately left my cats out during the day to scare them off, but they're afraid of the crows!!!

I cut the Asclepias back in April as they looked really bad. They are coming back now, so maybe I'll have more larvae. I just don't know where the larvae go to spin their coccoons...I never see them.

I check for eggs but have also never seen any...so I'm clueless...
I think the Alligator Lizards eat the larvae as well...(???)

I usually see loads of monarchs when the weather gets really warm and the Buddleias are blooming and most of the other summer flowers.

I do get a ton load of Mourning Cloaks....from the Elm trees around here. (sp?)

Hey JasperDale,
Thanks for the info, are you planting asclepias tuberosa or one or more of the natives? I have not noticed anything eating my cats, but if so I'd better get some of the native swampweeds for the cats. I have watched everything I'm cutting back and looked high and low for the chrysalises(?), chrysalisi(?). I'm sure someone will correct me...the first time I found one was on the large sword ferns at my kitchen door, one was hanging right there so that I saw it everytime I walked in or out, so I was able to keep an eye on it and was lucky enough to watch it emerge...that's really something! and then 4 days ago saw another hanging on the sword ferns by the camper. I don't know if they "really" like the ferns or if that's the only place I'm lucky enough to see them. I personally think it was a gift....the one by the camper emerged while I wasn't watching 2 days ago. Two years ago I started flats to spread through some of the garden club people here in hopes that a lot of people would get stands going to help the monarchs and now I think it would be pretty cool to keep them in this area, we'll see what happens
Sherry