- Joined
- Jan 5, 2017
- Messages
- 1,520
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- 1,346
- Location
- Atlantic Beach, Fl
- Hardiness Zone
- 9a
- Country
I've have found four Monarch caterpillars on me in the last two days (25th and 26th March). The first one was rather large, so I thought some how it was just looking for a place to form into a chrysalis (although that was a stretch, but it's all I could think of...); however, the next three were only about an inch (25mm) long.
How does this happen? Monarchs don't hang from the plant, they are basically glued to the plant with all their velcro-like foot pads and they use a web-like substance (from their rear) to affix themselves to the plant. It's not like you can rub up against a milkweed plant and they become attached to you.
I've had the caterpillars from trees on me (the little green ones), but that's easy to explain, because I commonly see them hanging from silk off the tree. But I can't imagine how I've gotten so many monarch caterpillars on me in two days, it's not like I have a forest of milkweed plants, they are all spread out in my yard and I never just brush up against them.
For today, I'm staying out of the garden and going on a bike ride, hopefully without any hitchhikers.
How does this happen? Monarchs don't hang from the plant, they are basically glued to the plant with all their velcro-like foot pads and they use a web-like substance (from their rear) to affix themselves to the plant. It's not like you can rub up against a milkweed plant and they become attached to you.
I've had the caterpillars from trees on me (the little green ones), but that's easy to explain, because I commonly see them hanging from silk off the tree. But I can't imagine how I've gotten so many monarch caterpillars on me in two days, it's not like I have a forest of milkweed plants, they are all spread out in my yard and I never just brush up against them.
For today, I'm staying out of the garden and going on a bike ride, hopefully without any hitchhikers.