Monarch Caterpillars
Monarch caterpillars are the most adorable creatures on the planet. We have outdoor tents where we put newly hatched pillars and watch them grow. They devour only variations of milkweed plants and grow quickly, entering chrysalis form about two weeks after hatching from their eggs. They poop A LOT too!
List of favorite plants:
- Butterfly Milkweed
- Common Milkweed
- Swamp Milkweed
Monarch Butterflies
The Monarch Butterfly is Minnesota's state butterfly, and my favorite. First generation monarchs (the children of those who overwintered in Mexico) arrive here around June. They lay eggs under milkweed leaves and continue north. Third and fourth generation monarchs are those who travel south to Mexico in the fall. When monarch couples meet, they fly together in a spiral pattern.
List of favorite flowers:
- Meadow Blazing Star
- Butterfly Milkweed
- Purple Coneflower
Bumblebees
The misconception about bumblebees is that they will sting you. This is not true, they are actually quite friendly if you are respectful of them. You can even pet their fuzzy backs (if they don't fly away immediately)! We have gotten super close to them and they will just keep going about their business.
List of favorite flowers:
- Anise Hyssop
- Bee Balm
- New England Aster
Great Black Wasps
Certain wasps like hornets and yellow jackets are much more likely to sting and show aggression towards humans. However, some wasps, such as the Great Black Wasp, are just trying to make a living and are more like bumblebees in nature. Though they are predatory toward other insects, they provide much more of a beneficial pollination service than other wasps, plus pest control! To me, they look more like huge ants with wings than wasps.
List of favorite flowers:
- Spotted Bee Balm
- Swamp Milkweed
- Rattlesnake Master