We found a caterpillar! I was gone for the weekend, and went out this evening to see what had changed over the past few days. I was checking on a butterfly branch that had fallen over and wilted--and there was a tiny Monarch caterpillar! I don't know why it was on a sickly looking branch on the ground when it was surrounded by healthy, young, upright plants. But, now it is in my daughter's pop-up "Port-a-bug." I put some fresh butterflyweed branches in with it and hung it in the kitchen, out of reach of the cats (felines). Hopefully, we'll continue to find more as the season continues, and we'll be able to raise many to adulthood. Wish us luck! Martha

Hi Ashley, Maybe someone from your area could tell you when to expect the Monarchs. I'd have thought they'd be there by now, but not everyone can attract them right away. Last year was my first year at butterflying and was lucky enough to get them and raised 70 cats. So far I have one in a pupa, 2 ready to go in one, and 10 munching away on milkweed. I have loads of milkweed planted for them and so maybe the female just couldn't resist stopping by here. I'll see more eventually, I'm sure. Yes, those bugs are Oleander Aphids, and I bet they look like the picture in the link I provided. I never use pesticides on any of my plants. If you do that and a butterfly would happen to come by after that, it could kill the butterfly. If it lays eggs, it would kill the caterpillars when they eat the leaves. I'm not sure how long the pesticides last, but I really don't want to use them and chance losing any Monarchs because of it. I squoosh the aphids, and some people blast them with water. Of course, I don't think that kills them but would get them off of your plant temporarily. Those things multiply like crazy, so I prefer to kill them; otherwise I'm afraid I'd end up having a million of them here. Good luck with things, and I hope the Monarchs show up there. Cathy Here is a link that might be useful: Oleander Aphids

WOW what a great find, I can't tell you what to do about the eggs on the leafs, I'm new to raising cats. I have been looking and looking for monarch cats and have only found 4 and one died, but our first one came out of his cyrisalis this morning. on the other hand we have had plenty of BST cats. good luck with all the eggs michelle

Here you go - lots of past discussions on when to pick eggplant. http://www.gardenweb.com/gardenweb/query/eggplant-pick-ready/topic=cornucop Basic answer - whenever they are of a size you wish to use and the skin is shiny. Smaller is better than overly large as flavor decreases with size. Dave