While walking up the ramp leading away from the Butterfly House, I glanced over at the common milkweed that grows in the garden on either side of the ramp. It pays to keep an eye out while walking through this garden, many insects are attracted to milkweed, including monarch butterflies.

Nearly everyone knows what a monarch is, if not their entire life cycle. The butterfly and its migrations are well known. But, in case you haven’t been paying attention, here’s a reminder of what one looks like.

Sometimes it’s easier to locate a caterpillar by what it leaves behind. If you see frass (caterpillar feces) on a leaf, there’s a good chance there’s a caterpillar somewhere above, or at least close by.

Caterpillars grow quickly. They’re only caterpillars for a week, maybe 10 days. If you see a caterpillar and you want photos, take the photos while you have the chance.

Fortunately, since I have an office in the Butterfly House, I can visit this patch of milkweed daily. I’ll be looking for a chrysalis in a few days. They, however, can often be difficult to find. Let me know if you spot one!