Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: Butterfly Stories (Please add yours too), 0 by Sheila_FW

Sheila_FW wrote:
If people only made an effort to learn what the insect is that is eating their plants, I think they would be a lot more tollerant and less likely to grab the spray everytime.
I got into raising caterpillars here on Dave's with people like Linda guiding me. In nature due to man's ignorance with pesticides and with introducing parasidic insects into our environment, the butterflies only stand a 2% chance to emerge and live to create another generation. I am trying to improve on my methods each year. Last year I was able to bring in 46 Monarch Caterpillars; of those I released 44 successfully!! This year if I am able, I plan to tag before I release.
I have raised and released other bfs to, just by paying attention to the caterpillars in my yard, and planting the host plants they eat. My list is not long, but I have only been doing this going on three years.
Monarch
Queen
Black Swallowtail
Great Swallowtail
Morning Cloak
Varietaged Fritillary
Gulf Fritillary
Silvery Checker Spot

Each one as I typed the name has a picture that flashes in my mind of the cats and the chrysalis, as well as the adult. I took pictures last year as the Monarchs I had were emerging. Their bellies are full with fluid and after they flip out of their chrysalis they have been in for only 10 DAYS, they pump that liquid out into their wings and have to dry before flying. This picture was snapped just as one emerged and flipped downward. I dare say this pic I could never duplicate.