Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust

the monarch butterfly was as big as my hand and was missing an antena.:(

the butterflys have been here the last two years - well over 100, stay for a couple of weeks.

the butterfly looked as if had not long started it’s first flight

Butterflies are haniging in 3 large totara trees and have been there for several weeks. The are slightly more active when the weather becomes warmer.

all year round monarchs are laying eggs here and becoming butterflies - hardly ever without them. Sometimes up to 30 crysalises at a time. Currently a few. One emerged safely yesterday.

3 butterflies were feeding on and off all day on the Mexican Orange Blossom bush (flowers)

Vicki’s bionic butterfly with new wings…

We have Monarchs almost year round and attract them by planting plenty of Swan Plants in our garden.
There are usually about a dozen or more caterpillars on the plants at any time, usually in the warmer weather.

I came across this beautiful monarch butterfly on a big protea bush. It appeared dead, or maybe it was resting ?? I took a couple of beautiful photos of this butterfly.

Scores wintering over until the snow storm in June. 90% casualty.