monarchs and swan plants

[John Lane]

Dear Sally:
Along the central California Coast, most monarch ovipostion occurs in the
latest-summer and fall.  (Monarchs are largely absent through most of the
common "butterfly season" along the coast, but pass through coming into
their overwintering enclaves and again when leaving. Few or no females are
yet able to produce viable ova just after mating and leaving the
overwintering colonies; even suitable plants in good condition usually fail
to attract ovipositing females at this time.  Many monarchs returning to the
coast in fall are already in reproductive diapause, but not all, leading to
eggs and larvae being found on suitable plants at that time.)
John Lane
johnlane at nccn.net





Sunsol Daniels wrote:

>  This species is listed in the popular U.S. "Sunset" Garden Book as
> >"Swan Plant" and it regularly attracts ovipositing monarchs in gardens
> along the
> >central California coast.
>
> I'm in Berkeley.  Is it wishful thinking that I am on the "central
> Calfornia coast?"  What time of year do the Monarchs lay?  The swan plant
> around here is looking pretty ratty now.  Maybe it needs to be cut back
> in the winter so it has fresh foliage for the spring and summer...
>
> Sally