Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: DAILY BUTTERFLIES Page 61, 1 by mellielong

mellielong wrote:
At the museum this weekend I was picking milkweed for the piggies (aka Monarchs) when I accidentally snuck up on a Spicebush ST who I think was puddling. I took several pictures before I thought I should really have a net with me. So I ran back to the lab, came back and captured the Spicebush and added it to the flight cage. I also managed to snag a Gulf Frit which is not easy; those suckers are fast! I was trying to add diversity for our Mother's Day high tea in the butterfly garden. Everyone noticed the Monarch population explosion and we had two couples "doing it' right in front of the guests! They all gasped when I grabbed a "couple" and was lecturing when they suddenly flew away. Who knew you could fly while having sex? I guess that means they belong to the mile high club, LOL!

I had a Pipevine ST eclose and let all the kids hold it on their finger while the moms took pictures. I also brought out a Monarch cat and a Polydamas so I could demonstrate stinkhorns. I also had a Monarch and a sulphur go into their chrysalis so I walked that around the room as well. They certainly got lots of education! One woman said she didn't have any cats on her milkweed so I took her over to ours and showed her how to find eggs and the small cats. I had a lot of fun educating people.

Favorite moment though was when I was talking to two couples. One of the men asked me if all the butterflies we had were indigenous to the area. The other man laughed and said, "Did your wife tell you to ask that? I know you wouldn't come up with that word on your own." But I was nice and said yes they are all native. Then I snickered.