by Mumzie
(Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii)
Our tropical Hawaiian temperatures range in the 70's to the high 80's. We experienced an early metamorphosis of the Monarchs in our neighborhood. This past January through March was the height of the season.
The surprise came again in June, though the numbers were scarce. It appears that the rock wall next to the crown-flower plants is harboring lizards that devour the eggs and tiny caterpillars! I have been harvesting the eggs and newborn caterpillars now to help continue the beautiful life cycle of the delicate Monarch butterfly.