I finally had a little time to look around the butterfly garden and collect some caterpillars and eggs to go in the caterpillar house.
I gathered a couple of baby monarch caterpillars and a couple of Gulf Fritillary cats. I was excited to find a couple of vines with clusters of yellow eggs, which means zebra long wing caterpillars/butterflies to come.
I have been getting about one butterfly a day for the last week or two, fritillaries and monarchs.
I have been able to raise a few sulphers and black swallowtails before, but none so far this year.
I live in Florida near Tampa Bay and the caterpillar house is a parrot cage covered with screening on my screened back porch. I can put several 1 gallon pots of milkweed in there for monarchs and some maypop (passionflower) vines for the fritillaries and zebra long wings. Putting the caterpillars in the caterpillar house gives them a better chance against wasps and lizards or other predators.
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So exciting, please post progress photos. ♥
CaroleKay
Level 8
May 22, 2018
1
Here are some pictures from earlier 1. two zebra long wings just emerged 2. Passion flowers & vines, host plants for ZLs and Fritillaries 3. a fritillary caterpillar 4. ZL baby caterpillars & eggs 5. a pair of fritillaries. I saw the one hovering just above the other one for several minutes. I'm guessing it's a mating dance.
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Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by LeafheadAsclepias sullivantii, the Sullivant's Prairie Milkweed. Taken at a way station in Middleton, WI
Posted by LeafheadCeropegia woodii Hoya carnosa Both plants bloom at night and attract lots of cool moths
Posted by LeafheadCeropegia woodii Hoya carnosa Both plants bloom at night and attract lots of cool moths
Posted by DAB456What kind is this? I think I know, but would like another opinion.
Posted by bigpawbulletsNot sure what these guys are. But suddenly we seem to be getting a few of them in the "Habitat":
Posted by bigpawbulletsSilly meme. But an attractive butterfly. Photoshopped or real?
Posted by MikeECI posted this earlier In the Gardeners group, but had actually intended to post it here. Those of you who are members of both groups get to see it twice ?
Posted by MikeECI posted this earlier In the Gardeners group, but had actually intended to post it here. Those of you who are members of both groups get to see it twice ?
Posted by LeafheadMy latest visitor to the feeder, a Hackberry Emperor
Posted by MikeECI managed to overwinter three Eastern black swallowtail chrysalises in my unheated garage and released them about a month ago.
Posted by MikeECI managed to overwinter three Eastern black swallowtail chrysalises in my unheated garage and released them about a month ago.
Posted by MikeECI managed to overwinter three Eastern black swallowtail chrysalises in my unheated garage and released them about a month ago.