Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: Spicebush Swallowtail, 1 by margaran

margaran wrote:
Hi,

We just recently added to our butterfly garden with an eye toward feeding Swalllowtails. We planted Tulip Poplar, Spicebush, Swamp bay, Hop Tree, and Sassafras. This guy had a better defense system than the GS cats that were openly feeding on the hop tree. Before they could get big enough to bring in, the anoles got them. I know 'cause I saw one run away with a guilty look and a belch.
Spicebush STs wrap themselves in a leaf. I caught him as he started to wander to find a place to pupate. This cat turns bright yellow when it's time to change and he emptied like the monarchs do before he started to wander. He took all day to finally anchor himself to the stick in the box. I checked him this morning, He's still a cat albeit a chrysalis shaped one now- pointy on the ends with a definite angle in the middle.


Maggie