The two tropical milkweed plants in the corner of the backyard had a good year, growing tall and pushing out long slender leaves and orangish-yellowish blossoms and recently many milkweed pods. Then there was this, which in truth did not accurately capture things, as there are ten very hungry caterpillars.
They have eaten almost all the leaves and begun devouring the seed pods. And so as a consequence of the consequences of milkweed, there is no more milkweed.
Just what is their plan, anyway?
It’s December, and although we’ve had a shockingly warm winter so far, there are plenty of weeks of cold ahead. This is no time for butterflies to be unfolding. Yet there will soon be chrysalides hanging around and after that what?
Don’t say it.