DAILY PICTURES #101

Genna, you have a Giant Swallowtail and a Gulf Fritillary. I'm not sure if my Giant Milkweed will ever get to bloom as it keeps getting eaten!

Melanie

That was why I was growing honeyvine milkweed (cynachum) or something like that is it's latin name . The cats could eat that forever , it grows faster than they chew , believe it .. controlling it is another story ..

Well, I had some visitors to the garden today. There's the usual Zebra Longwing and Gulf Frit. I also spotted a Monarch for the first time in a couple of weeks. Also, the Gray Hairstreak was back and posing nicely for me.

The Giant ST was flying around but I couldn't get a picture. I also couldn't get a picture of the Spicebush ST I saw yesterday. I also saw a sulphur that had to be either an Orange Sulphur or a Southern Dogface. I haven't seen either in a long time but from the black I saw on the top that's what it had to be. I do have the host plant for the Southern Dogface, false indigo, but I couldn't find any eggs. Didn't find anymore eggs at all today, in fact. But tomorrow is another day!

In caterpillar action, my Corky-stemmed Passion vine is covered in caterpillars. Here's a Gulf Frit eating away. Then, in the second photo is a cluster of Zebra Longwings. Check out all the frass on the leaf below. That's a really easy way to find caterpillars - follow the trail of poo!

Melanie

Well, I was waiting for the ball game to come on and was about to fall asleep so I figured I'd get up and take a wak around the yard. So that means more pictures! First, is another one of my Gulf Fritillary friends. I was glad to see they like the new coneflowers. Plants in my yard must be butterfly-approved, LOL! Next, is the only picture I could capture of a female Great Southern White before she flew off (females can be gray instead of white). Then, I walked over to my neighbor's side of the street and saw a little Phaeon Crescent. I also saw one of those hummingbird moths (Snowberry Clearwing I think they're called) but it was too fast for my camera skills.

Dad confirmed three Monarchs in the yard - two boys and a girl. I saw the girl over by the milkweed but it's in such sad shape I'm not sure she'll want to lay any eggs on it.

That's the report for now,
Melanie

Do butterflies lay eggs on Daylilies?? I was working in my beds today and thought I saw some on the leaves of my DL. I wouldn't have had a clue what I was looking at - but they looked like the pictures you posted the other day of the eggs. I need some host plants I guess. I had a monarch (I think) flying all around my back porch and over my yard like it was frantically searching for something...... I thought maybe it was looking for a good host plant to lay eggs on. I was sorry I didn't have better homes for them...... :(

I have some red clover besides the common white clover and these Hollyhocks seem to be enjoyed by the Gray Hairstreaks larvae
Still awaiting a Monarch (sigh)

Love the pic's always !!!

Gen...the Monarch was looking for any kind of Asclepias (Milkweed) plant. Should be easy to find at a nursery close to you. There are different species but it doesn't matter...the Monarchs will use any kind of Asclepias. These plants also have nectar rich flowers that can be enjoyed by bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Only the Monarchs use the Asclepias as a host. BTW, they lay single (some butterflies lay their eggs in clusters) white eggs on the undersides of the leaves.

This message was edited Jun 16, 2013 10:54 AM

Whew am I tired! I went to MOSI this morning to do the usual volunteer thing. I told myself to take it easy and not to chase butterflies, but what did I do? I chased butterflies. Sigh. I caught seven total: 2 Monarchs, 2 Gulf Fritillaries, a Black ST, a Pipevine ST, and an Orange-Barred Sulphur. The flight cage only had Zebra Longwings and Great Southern Whites in it, so I wanted to add some diversity for the guests. And everyone wants to see a Monarch - seriously, people ask me about them. I almost had a Polydamas, but it escaped. I also took all my Monarch cats in to the museum since I am nearly out of milkweed.

Now for some pictures...Here's a White Peacock caterpillar. Second is a Great Southern White caterpillar which I need to add to the BugFiles. Next, is a pair of Great Southern Whites I caught in the act of mating. Then, I have a picture of Great Southern White eggs laid on cleome seed pods (they had already eaten most of the plant and the seed pods were all that was left). And finally, here is that Orange-Barred Sulphur I caught. I'm pretty sure it's a female but it was kind of raggedy.

Back at the house I took some pictures while I was out fertilizing the orchids. The Monarch seemed to be checking out the new coreopsis. Then, there were many, many Gulf Frits out and about eating porterweed like this one. Third, I excitedly saw a Pipevine ST in my yard! I rarely get these so I was super excited. Unfortunately, I believe this is a male, but I'll keep an eye on the pipevines anyway. He's got to have a friend, right? And finally, the Gray Hairstreak is still hanging out in the garden. He prefers the small flowers like the pentas or the Tampa Vervain in the photo.

Melanie

gen2026 hope you go to the Mt. Magazine International Butterfly festival this weekend. They have activities at the Logan county fairgrounds and 18 miles up the mountain at Mt. Magazine park. There is a butterfly / hummer garden next to the lodge and master gardeners will have host and nectar plants available.
See http://www.butterflyfestival.com/schedule.html

Visited my son on fathers day at Caney creek in NE Oklahoma. Wonderful day and time. Lots of dragon and damsel flies along with a variety of butterflies.

1.Spicebush ST
2, American Lady
3. Common buckeye
4. Hackberry emperor
5. Red admiral

Rest of the bunch at Caney creek on Fathers Day.

1. Pearl crescent
2. Variegated fritillary
3. Goatweed leafwing
4. Snout
5. Least skipper (a tiny golden delight)

Mrs_Ed I lived at one end of the breeding field north of Indianapolis for a while
Listened and watched the information for a while .Nature conservation tried to preserve part of the previous in lawsuit ,(lost of course)
They were tracked numerous times (the BF'S) to the Cleveland area where an industrial complex now is , The complex company went out of business a few years after building in Cleveland . (destruction for nothing ).
I was watching at the time it happened ,I guess is the best answer .

" Mrs_Ed So how do you get that information about a route and breeding fields? "

Read more: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1313552/#ixzz2WUw3LU7P

Nice diversity there, shorthog. Quite a few butterflies I don't get to see, or rarely see in these parts.

What I do see is lots of Gulf Fritillaries and Zebra Longwings! This Zebra is on jatropha (as usual) but they also frequent the porterweed and now that it's blooming, the firebush, as well. I also have a Monarch that keeps resting on different things in the garden like this plant stake.

I also took a picture of a cluster of Zebra Longwing caterpillars. They stay a pale orange through the first few instars and only turn white as they get bigger, like in the photo. Thus, it's pretty easy to confuse them with Gulf Frits while they're still small.

I saw the hummingbird as I was pulling out of my driveway today. It was checking out one of my bromeliads. It's not in bloom, but the inflorescence is still on there and I guess it kind of looks like a dark pink sage in a way. The hummingbird flew away pretty quickly so he must have figured it out.

Melanie

I have just never heard of a monarch breeding field.

Don't take this the wrong way pretty please .. "Yes you have lol Their wintering site in Mexico ... Large acreages that they returned to and produced large numbers every year , When those went ? The two I mentioned , and a few others ..
The Monarch numbers crashed ...

Well yes, I know of their winter grounds in the mountains of Michoacan Mexico. But to say that there are breeding grounds makes me curious. I know that when they cross into Texas there are key locations, but no, I've never heard of specific areas where breeding is centralized. The reason I was asking was that I'd love to see a map to see where they were or even if there are determined fall migration roosting spots, as I'd like to see them if any were somewhat regional.

I think my backyard is a breeding ground! I had to take another batch to the museum as I am running out of milkweed. Sadly, I just noticed that one of my chrysalises is parasitized by those awful flies. I've had a lot of that going on this season. I try to bring them in when they're young but I inevitably miss a few.

Melanie

Way to go Melanie! I've seen one so far this year and it seemed kind of early. Sadly, I'm hardly seeing any butterflies of any kind this year, except cabbage whites. I did my first survey route last week and there was a whole FIVE! Bah. Hope this week is better.

Yes indeed Melanie I love your suggestions and pics here ,,!!! yours too shorthog !!
The problem with re introducing Monarchs from Florida here , as some do is they stay and die . most freeze in the cold .. The few that travel back to Florida , might make it worth doing ..?
I saw what I believe to be a dainty white sulpher today . I do not believe I had ever seen one before .?
If I could I would send overnight leaves ,, but the tall green is just now beginning to bloom .

juhur and Mrs_Ed...do you know the website monarchwatch.org? you may find the answer to why you are not getting any (or so few) monarchs this year. it might be a good place to ask.

Yes, I've searched them over and over. They aren't citing any specific breeding grounds, just the north eastern area in general. There was something interesting in there about how the population used to be throughout most of the plains states until the milkweeds succumbed to farm fields. Then the population shifted more northeast. And while there is good documentation on the location of the Texas flyways, I'm not finding anything about breeding grounds or specific migration areas up north. *shrug*

Here's some caterpillar photographs for your enjoyment. First up is my Eastern Black Swallowtail. He molted last night and now he's all stripey. Then, my Spicebush caterpillars are having fun. The one is all rolled up in a sassafras leaf as they tend to do.

Not pictured, but the first of my Zebra Longwings went into its chrysalis today. As if I don't have enough of them outside, right? But I hadn't raised any in a while and I thought it would be fun.

Melanie

*spice bush jealousy*!!!

I know, right? My boss at the museum loves Spicebush caterpillars; they're her favorite. But I won't even bring any to MOSI because they're all mine!!!

A package just arrived from Mail Order Natives with my Aristolochia tomentosa (Wooly Pipevine) and Passiflora lutea (Dwarf Passion Vine). I've had both plants before but I neglected the pipevine and planted it in a really bad spot, too. The passiflora did all right for a couple of years despite me never weeding around it and then I got sick and couldn't take care of my garden. But now I feel a bit better and I have Dad on my side. The pipevine is going in a raised bed my Dad made up for me and the passiflora is going in the butterfly garden on a trellis. I noticed when I grew it before that the Zebra Longwings seemed to prefer the passiflora lutea. We'll see if that's still true. Right now they're laying all over my Passiflora suberosa (Corky-Stemmed Passion Vine).

Melanie

I went out to plant the new plants and it started raining. Normally, this is good but it only rained enough to wet the top part of the soil. So I came inside, did my workout, and then went back outside to really drench the new plants (as well as my orchids - they always want to be watered). While I was out there, I caught this Great Southern White hanging out in the butterfly garden. It's sitting on a Black and Blue salvia, by the way. This is the second one I've seen now! One of my books says they have years where they're very prevalent; this must be one of those years. I also saw a Spicebush but it was in no mood to stop. And of course, the usual Frits and Zebra LWs were out there. And the mosquitoes...arrgh!

Melanie

Nice pics! Mel you seem to be posting the only pics here. I noted from last year a cool wet spring, and this one is all the same. Except we actually had a winter this year.

In any event, we continue to have rain which deters the butterflies, I think. The turbulent weather patterns will have an impact on all species I would think. I have planted out so many native host plants, but rarely get (or perhaps I only know to look for) the monarch (when they come) and the BST.

Of course this year I also have senna (thank you RUSSEL!) and the sulphurs will make me crazy again. This is not a hobby for folks who can't take much excitement!

I have been collecting containers this year, determined to try to be a little more prepared and dare I say "organized" with a straight face. This will be my 4th (or 5th?!) season rearing butterflies. Like any new hobby, I suppose there has to be a learning curve.

Does anyone really think gardening, or butterfly rearing is a hobby?! To me it seems more like a vocation. Calling it a hobby almost feels like an insult.

I was out and about dodging mosquitoes , which will return shortly as the sun fades , and was watching a BST laying eggs on the fennel .
Dill will be late and the green fennel restarted will be next time , They like these last two better than the Bronze fennel , which I have tons of from last years self sow. (of course).
Queen annes" lace they have plenty of but prefer the tender type herbs
Milkweed starting to bloom is probably bringing them, that and Coneflowers .

Anyway I got to see a big pretty butterfly today .. live that is ...

Juhur, glad you got to see a butterfly today. And shorthog has been posting some good photos, too so let's not forget that!

Amanda, I think gardening is more like a calling. And raising butterflies is definitely more than a hobby!

Melanie

Amanda, let me know when you need more senna seeds :) I have TONS of them....literally. I haven't seen any sulphur cats yet this year, but the plants are really taking off. They are almost 6 feet tall after I cut them to the ground in late February. Waiting patiently for blooms!

Beverly sent me some Mexican senna seeds....can't wait to see what they turn into. I have several that have emerged, but they are too small to transplant yet.

Butterflies have been a little scarce around lately, but I am still hoping for a good year. Keep those pictures coming!

Russell

Here's a few pictures from this morning. A Gulf Frit was sunning himself on the grass (and weeds) and I kept disturbing him by walking around. Then, the usual Zebra Longwing was on the porterweed. And finally, the Great Southern White is still hanging out. I've seen both the male and female of the species but I don't think I have any host plants for them. The Virginia Pepper Grass is usually dried up long before now and I'm not growing anything resembling a cabbage. I wonder what they're using, hmmm? At the museum they've been laying like crazy on cleome (spider flower) but I haven't had one of those in years. I may have to start investigating the neighbors' yards. LOL!

Melanie

Yea, my new plants arrived! I even got a bonus purple firespike from Vincent Gardens. Of course, now I have to think of a place to plant it. Hmmm...those things can get kind of big, too. I also got two Spicebush from them which are about 18" tall; I'm sure the caterpillars can't wait to start munching on them. From Select Seeds, I got my Ruby Frost coreopsis, Astello Indigo agastache, Mexican Flame Vine, and my Joe Pye weeds. They're a little smaller than I expected, but things take off pretty fast in the heat and daily rains of Florida. I was going to go plant them, but it just rained and there's still lightning in the area.

In other news, I've been finding Gulf Frits and their chrysalises in various places on my house. I'd bring them in, but they're pretty attached to the stucco and I'm afraid I'd just screw things up. So I'll just watch for them to come out.

Melanie

Good going Melanie, looking forward to seeing more pics. Happy butterflies gardening.

One of my Monarchs emerged today and it was a girl! I set it to dry on the Corky-Stem Passion Vine since most of my other plants were either wet from the rain or getting visited by other butterflies. While looking at the passion vine I found some Zebra Longwing caterpillars muching away. They seem to prefer this species of passiflora over the caerulea or my hybrid "Lavender Lady". Finally, I took a picture of one of those Gulf Frit chrysalises on my entryway. There was a caterpillar too, up there earlier but now there's just a smear which has me worried. You can't save them all, I guess. And I don't tend to raise Gulf Frits because they get a disease when you put them in captivity. I mean, I've seen it in the wild too, but in captivity they spread it even worse. The disease makes them look like they're melting; it's pretty gross.

Melanie

Headed to the plant files to look up senna .............. since I have never heard of it...........

Enjoyed the pictures!

Sorry, we cross posted, but that was not the butterfly I had looking so urgently around my yard.... it was a large yellow butterfly. Suggestions on what it might be? I thought that was a monarch................... Sorry - I have a LOT to learn about BFs

Gen, a large yellow butterfly would be one of the Sulphur family of butterflies. Look up Cloudless Sulphur and see if that's close. Sennas and cassias (sometimes used interchangeably) are host plants for Sulphurs. I grow the native Senna ligustrina also known as Privet Cassia. I always urge caution when buying cassias as some of them are known invasives. Plus, I believe butterflies are more drawn to the native plants they've co-existed with for millenia.

Melanie

Large yellow are usually the Swallowtails , which one of the five is up to you . lol
Saw a hummingbird at lunch time ,the hummer was doing the same(doing lunch).

Cross post there , if it was as large as a Monarch ...

This message was edited Jun 19, 2013 3:04 PM