Attention southern butterfly fans...late eggs up north!

Hi everyone,

I was in the garden yesterday, delighted at the 5 monarchs fluttering about (it's peak migration in Wisconsin), and I was shocked to see one laying eggs on the milkweed! I raised 30 monarchs indoors this year (my milkweed patch is infested with spiders, earwigs, wasps, and other predators), so I couldn't help myself and collected about 6 freshly-laid eggs; there are at least 4 more out there. Now here's my conundrum: we sometimes get freezes in early to mid-October, and I'm worried that by the time they've grown up, pupated, eclosed, and are ready for release, they won't have much to nectar on to help them make their journey south. The asters are already blooming here, and some of the leaves are changing color. I know, I could have just let nature take its course, but I'm such a pushover! lol

I'm willing to FedEx them overnight (in protective packaging) if someone south of Illinois would be willing to adopt them. (Can I even do this? Has anyone else done this here?) They should hatch Sunday or Monday .My husband thinks I'm crazy, but oh well! :-) Thanks in advance for any advice offered.

I'll adopt them. Still quite warm down here. I'll gladly defer if someone who's not had any wants them.


I know when I get Luna eggs, they are shipped off leaf, packed in clear 1/4" tubing with cotton at both ends.

Maggie

junebug~ I think they might have time to do their thing and head south.

You could send some to maggie and keep some too. As October moves in and looks like a freeze coming after they make their chrysalids, you can still mail them. Wait til they've hardened, 2 days after they've morphed. If you pack them like she suggested only with a little tissue rolled around them before putting in the tube.

:-d

Thanks Maggie and Deb; I really appreciate your input.

I think I'd like to send the eggs to Maggie, as I'm nervous about the long-range weather forecast here: Overnight lows in the thirties already next week! I still have 9 chrysalides, so I am hoping for good weather on their release days.

Maggie, I'll send you a dmail; thanks again!!!

Coolness junebug! I'm so glad Maggie is getting them in light of your weather. Y'all will have to post a thread what happens so people can see how to work that situation. She will take excellent care of them.
Pretty good move all the way around..

:-)