Auckland / Papatoetoe / 2005-01-01 13:00:00
I use to live in Papakura in the mid 1990s and I grew swan plants and the monarchs came,I started bringing some inside because those nasty german wasps would sting the crysalis and caterpillars.I am in Papatoetoe now and successfully had crysalis and monarch butterflies living off the swan plant,for the last 4 years in my new residence I am surrounded by swan plant along the fenced perimeter of the yard.We have hundreds of monarch butterfly start their lives here,the land lord even built a special curtain net home with a lift up lid to free newly formed monarchs into the world this has been successfull in protecting the caterpillars from the wasps.The bottom of the net house is open for ventilation so the odd wasp has sneaked in.But a majority of the monarchs grew out and about the yard, some even dash out at you as you walk down the drive to the letterbox.Crysalis have attached themselves to the walls and on my outdoor chairs.Sightings are mostly in the warmmer months but I am seeing the occasional one still roaming about these winter months.
- City/Region: Auckland
- Suburb: Papatoetoe
- Site: Around the yard
- Trees: I have noticed them on the neighbours ? native hedging along the fence line also I have seen them on another type of tree sorry dont know the name saw a cluster of 15 here in Papatoetoe
- Weather: Typical Auckland weather,sunny rainy soft wind.Along the fence line tin and timber fencing painted dark green,I suppose it provides heat and shelter for the plants and butterflies.
