This was the scene on my dill plants this evening when I went out. There were butterflies, flies, small bees, a yellow jacket, and a red wasp enjoying the nectar of the dill flowers. I wasn't thrilled with the yellow jacket and the red wasp, but such is life in the garden.
Yes. the red admirals sure are pretty, I have been seeing quite a few varigated fritillaries and dogface butterflies too.
I am almost positive I saw dogface out front here yesterday.... I got so excited trying to id them when we had come home from shopping, that it took a few minutes for me to realize that the bench out front had been stolen!! I notified the neighborhood officer and he said several items were taken around the neighborhood that indicated someone is setting up a patio!! People reported missing fountains, chairs, tables, benches, etc. Grrr...I hope the mesquitos carry them away!
What a bummer, Sheila! I hope you find it. Who steals a bench?!?
If I couldn't afford to buy them, I would figure I didn't need patio accessories?
C
Sorry to hear that, Sheila. But on a brighter note -- there are tons of butterflies out there now. I remember last year when we were all asking "Where are the butterflies?" which makes me appreciate them all the more.
Carla
Sorry about the loss of your bench Sheila. But don't let it spoil your Birthday.
I planted dill just for the butterflies. Hope I attract as many as you did!
Lots of butterflies here ... but they are flying so fast ...
Here I caught some ...
and here is a baby butterfly ... I think a Swallowtail on my Parsley
Sheila, too bad about your bench..I am sure karma will set it right. The butterflies are wonderful!
Stephanie, that is gorgeous! I caught this a few nights ago. I wonder if it is what is feasting on the nectar of my brugmansias. Around 7 PM the fragrance is intoxicating.
Yes, Marty it is a Black Swallowtail! Can't remember the moth's name.
Nice little skipper on that last shot drThor.
yes .... that's was a lucky shot of that Skipper
We have a marked increase in butterflies out at my place also. And so many lovely weeds/flowers. My pasture looks beautiful this year--but probably not to a hay farmer. Oh well!
I didn't get a butterfly on this "weed", but I have a lot of these and the butterflies and I really enjoy this one.
Terri, that's a spiderwort I think.
Ah thank you! It is wickedly pretty I think.
beautiful pics! yep...the butterflies have been numerous here! have sure enjoyed them
I have that same spiderwort and a fushia colored one....I love them!
Ok....I had kept seeing Red Admirals and Question Marks, so I applied the "butterfly brew" and was instantly rewarded!! Of course the bees, flies, and wasps tag along too.
If you want the reciepe go to the hummingbird and butterfly forum "sticky" it is posted there. Makes them pretty docile and you can get some good shots sometimes.
1-Shows 2 Question Marks, and 3 Red Admirals
2-Shows 6 Red Admirals and 1 Tawny Emperor
3- Shows 4 RA who overdosed on the brew
4- a American Lady
5- an Orange Sulphur
This message was edited Apr 12, 2012 5:16 PM
My first "guests" on the passiflora foetida, gulf frit cats!
Sheila, tell your neighborhood to check the flea market in Grand Prairie, Trader's Village. Someone is stocking their booth with seasonal merchandise.
Could you post the link where to find the butterflies brew, please?
Here's the link to the Hummingbird & Butterfly Gardening forum sticky: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/744103/ (scroll down until you find the post with the links to the bait)
Here's the link to the bait recipe: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=2008615
This message was edited Apr 12, 2012 10:54 PM
drthor:
You really don't have to go to any trouble to "brew" anything, although a lot of people have recipes that they swear by. I just put a blackening banana or two (or plum, pear, mango, etc.) in a tray and sit it in a semi shaded area. Easy-peasy! Here's a picture of that success (although I'm using a bait trap here so I can collect breeding stock). And, yes, you will get other "visitors" besides butterflies and moths.
Thanks.
I am just copying that post here:
Butterfly bait
from a post by TexasPuddyPrint, Edinburg,TX:
The mix is simple: Mash a few pounds of ripe bananas, a pound of brown sugar and 1 bottle of Guiness Stout beer. Just put everything in a blender and mix it up. Use it fresh or let it ferment in an old milk jug for several weeks to a year! I keep a gallon of it in my south Texas garage (temperature warm up in there!) and open the lid every couple of days or to vent it so it won't explode. As I use it I mix up a new batch and add it to the jug.
I have several pieces of firewood (with bark) hanging from my trees. I used a saw to cut out some grooves into it so the butt-bait will stay put and run off. Many of the folks out at the butterfly gardens just pour it on old tree stumps or fence posts.
Now ... I am worry about the EXPLOSION !
I know I will forget ...
thor, if you decide to keep it in a jug in your garage, I think you can fill it 3/4 full and poke a hole in the lid with a pin and it MAY not explode. LOL (Please note the use of the words "may not"!)
oohhhh thanks
Some of my butterflies today
and a bee too ...
My flowers are not blooming as quickly as ya'll's. My lantanas and coneflowers haven't bloomed yet. But the checkered whites ove my blackfoot daisies and pin cushion flower and the red admirals are hovering around my roses. Even my son commented on the number of admirals. Such a nice change from last year, when I saw so very few!
I have Gulf frit cats for the first time this year. Of course it's the first time Ive had a passiflora. Ive never seen the Red Admirals around here. The photos are stunning.
I made the brew yesterday, applied to a log and 2 butterflies + a wasp already !
lots of butterflies in the garden this year ...
and more ...
Yes, it doesn't take long for them to appear if you have them in the area. I have tried the bananna / fruit, but never leave it long enough to draw anything.
We just returned from a trip and while I was gone I gave my neighbors the baskets and some brew. I haven't asked if they were entertained yet, but I am sure they were.
