Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: Butterfly/Cat Horror Story, 1 by beckygardener

beckygardener wrote:
I enjoy my garden and all the butterflies that lay their eggs on my plants! It's always a thrill to see the caterpillars with the anticipation of the soon-to-be butterflies!

The photo attached shows the group of Swallowtail cats feasting on my dill. It was such a delight to see so many cats in my herb garden knowing that they were just about fat enough to metamorph into their chrysalides. I had over 20 cats which is the most I have ever had at one time in my garden.

Fifteen minutes after I took this photo, I went inside to do dishes and was looking out the window at the garden. I suddenly noticed birds swooping down into the yard near the garden, so I went outside to investigate. To my horror, the birds were feasting on the nice, plump cats that I had just taken a photo of. I manage to save only one! I was horrified! How utterly disappointing!

This is just one of the reason I decided to learn about and raise caterpillars in cages. The wasps are cat predators, too! My butterfly success rate is much better now that they are raised in a cage. It's also fun to release them when they emerge as beautiful butterflies!

Anyone else have a "horror" story or garden blunder to share?