Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: DAILY PICTURES #101, 3 by mellielong

mellielong wrote:
Here's a few pictures for everyone. First, a Duskywing that I saw the other day. I'm glad it was enjoying the porterweed. Dad weeded the front so most of the Spanish Needles are gone (for the moment); I'm glad it found another nectar source that it liked. Then, my Spicebush caterpillars were cuddling today, or maybe just annoying each other. Who can tell? And finally, my Zebra Longwings (which are safe to touch, despite the spikes) are eating the stem and not the leaves for some reason. I think maybe because the leaves wilt a lot faster and they can get more moisture from the stems. Polydamas love stems, too. They'll eat through the stem and knock all the leaves off a plant which can be kind of annoying if you're trying to not run out of food.

I can't remember if I posted this on here but I posted it on Facebook. Worms Way (www.wormsway.com) is selling insect frass for $55 for a 5lb bag. I think we need to put these caterpillars to work! Gotta find some way to pay for new plants, right?

Melanie