Late summer Monarchs

I found this little guy hanging from a thread in the garden. I had a large area of milkweed, but late this summer it turned skunky. Lots of rain, humidity, little wind, and the leaves were mildewing. This attracted aphids, and there were clouds of flies and wasps feeding on the aphids! Nature's full circle; but not quite what I had in mind for the planting area. 

The plants had no signs of eat marks from caterpillars (indeed, who could compete with those aphids!?) and adult female Monarchs wisely avoided egg laying in this area. After ripping out nearly the whole bed, there was one, little, wayward milkweed left. With eat marks. And upon inspection I found this little caterpillar dangling in the wind! I put him/her back on the leaf. I cut the plant and brought it inside. I set up a vase with water and now this tiny caterpillar is enjoying a prime view of my living room. And pooping all over my mantle. 

You go little caterpillar, you go! 

This one is probably around 2nd instar..? I'd have to look it up, but it's got a few more molts before it's ready to pupate into a butterfly. And yes, it should have time yet this late summer or fall. In fact I'll probably bring this one into the nature center for visitors to enjoy the process. We will also tag the adult that emerges. The tags provide valuable info about migration routes, overwintering locations and other pieces of the life history puzzle of this far-traveling insect. 

Thanks for reading, 
Laurel