Monarch Hatches in Hawthorne!!! Assassin Lurks Nearby

Subject: Daniel – Monarch Hatchling
Location: Hawthorne, CA
October 8, 2013 5:26 pm
Hi Daniel,
We want to share this, our first hatchling of the season, with you. We are honored and excited to chronicle yet another generation of Monarch Butterfly caterpillars.
Signature: Thanks, Anna Carreon

Anna’s 2013 Hatchling Monarch

Congratulations on your new generation of Monarchs Anna.
Ed. Note:  See Anna’s spring female Monarch here:

Immature [Milkweed] Assassin Bug
Subject: Daniel – Assassin Bug Nymph?
Location: Hawthorne, CA
October 8, 2013 5:23 pm
Hi Daniel,
I was out looking for Monarch Butterfly caterpillars on the Mexican Milkweed this afternoon and spotted this guy on a leaf. Looks to me to be an Assassin Bug nymph? Am I correct?
Signature: Thanks, Anna Carreon

Possibly Milkweed Assassin Nymph

Hi Anna,
We agree that this is an Assassin Nymph, and we believe more specifically a Zelus Assassin.  We hope it doesn’t eat the hatchling.

Hi Daniel,
Thanks for the confirmation.  I believe this is Zelus renardii, as we’ve seen quite a few of them in past.
We have milkweed in more than one planter, and this nymph wasn’t in the same as the hatchling.  Hopefully the little guy will have a chance to build up the necessary toxins in its body before it encounters an assassin bug, nymph or adult!
Anna

Daniel,
I forgot to tell you that you crack me up!  I love your title for the posting of the Monarch caterpillar & assassin bug nymph.
Anna

Thanks Anna,
We like to have fun while attempting to provide helpful information.

UPdate:  October 15, 2013
In light of this Opinion piece from the Boston Globe sent to us by Clare Marter Kenyon, it might be critical for Monarch butterfly populations to have more people who live on migratory routes to plant milkweed.

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Location: Hawthorne, CA