Monarch caterpillars in my garden
Maryland first lady Katie O'Malley and I have something in common: Monarch butterfly caterpillars in our gardens.
I stopped by Government House in Annapolis this week to talk to the first lady about her vegetable garden and plans to plant fall crops. (More about that Thursday in my garden column in The Sun.)
Lo and behold, there were three green, white and black striped caterpillars in the carrot tops! Just like the ones that have taken up residence in the pot of parsley by my back door.
Mine are more likely to make it to adulthood than hers are, I fear. Once I noticed them, I sheltered the pot of herbs to keep the birds from spotting dinner. Hers are pretty exposed.
The O'Malley's youngest, Jack, 6, spotted the caterpillars while visiting the garden with master gardener Lisa Winters, and he couldn't wait to show his mom. It was fun to watch the two of them bond over the bugs.
Photo of Jack O'Malley: Baltimore Sun/Leeann Adams
Photo of what is probably NOT a Monarch butterfly caterpillar: Baltimore Sun/Sarah Kickler Kelber
Comments
I think you and the first lady have black swallowtail caterpillars. Monarch caterpillars are black, white and yellow (not green) and feed on milkweed. (I have them in my yard for the first time this year, very exciting!)
Maybe you could check with the entomologist ?
I will.
Posted by: Maureen | September 2, 2009 9:26 AM
Hi, my son will be jealous. He's been searching for them but no luck. We did find a few cicadas though, very cool to watch them molt.
Posted by: Wendy Mundy | September 2, 2009 9:18 PM
Black Swallowtail Caterpillar http://tr.im/xLX7
Posted by: Lisa B | September 3, 2009 2:49 AM