Is this a monarch? I'm not sure. If it is should I do anything special? It's on my fennel and I'm afraid a bird or spider is going to get it!
Monarch caterpillar ID?
looks like a Black Swallowtail. They eat fennel, dill, parsley, queen anne's lace, hemlock and others things in the carrot family
Thanks Donna. So this would be the yellow swallowtail leading to my confusion!?
This will be the Eastern Black Swallowtail. Not the Tiger Swallowtail
OK I am having a blonde moment!! First one is Eastern Black Swallowtail? Second one is...? ( feeling rather dumb right now )
Both of them look like Black Swallowtail cats to me. They change in appearance as they grow bigger. The Monarch cats are only found on milkweeds.
BOTH ARE EASTERN BLACK SWALLOW TAILS THE DARKER OR THE ONE WITH THE MOST BLACK IS A FEMALE AND THE LIGHTER ONE IS A MALE . i CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 30 CATS AND 12 CRYSTALIS'S
AH thank you all!!
Oh now...bflybo, HOW do you know that or come to that conclusion?! Not doubting you, just really want to know! I've raised too many too count but have never bothered to watch what cats eclose into male or female. I have noticed the color differences but not usually in the same brood. Usually the darker ones are later in the summer and into the fall. My spring ones are usually greener. If you've actually documented this, please do tell!!
btw, didn't think I recognized your name...appears you are new to DG...welcome!
This message was edited Sep 7, 2006 9:22 PM
Hey konkrete!. I use the national audubon society field guide to id them. I have been raising them for about 8 years now along with the monarchs. I have had a bumper years this year on both. have released 16 monarchs and have 5 to go in different stages of chrysalises. The eastern blacks amount to 30 or more with that many in cth chrysalis stage.
I also use a free book from the USDA to identify many different cats.
Thanks for the welcome my wife turned me on to this sight it is a great and interesting one
Hi bflybo,
Glad you joined us, I'm sure you have alot of knowldege about rearing caterpillars. This is my first year trying to raise monarchs and I think I want to keep doing it, and BSTs too.
Welcome!
Maureen
Wow, so the field guide tells you that about the colors? Gotta check and see if my library can get it. A free book from USDA? Can I get one from their website?
I love raising them but it can be so time consuming. They are lucky I get their cages cleaned and fresh food in it. Most of the time I've got way too many to try and keep track of anything. It's hard enough for me to keep track of how many and to keep them from eating smaller cats.
I've got some BST eggs that I might bring in too and maybe I'll watch a few of them. I would think they would be easier to see the color differences in, rather than Monarchs or Queens. ??
We are glad to have you, and your wife. The more the merrier!
check this guy out this is a first for me to see an all black BST cat
konkreteblond -----You should be able to get it from their web site
Mine is for the eastern forests
This message was edited Sep 10, 2006 4:42 PM
Wow!! I have never seen a cat all black before either! So is it in your guide? I see the darker ones in the fall broods, so maybe it does have something to do with the season.
I'll go their website right now so I don't forget!
...yeah, not so good at finding it. Any idea where I look or what to search for? caterpillar guide?
This message was edited Sep 10, 2006 7:08 PM
bflybo, I can't seem to find anything in my National Audubon society field guide telling the difference between male and female.
I have noticed that the cat is becoming lighter in color as Linda stated, now that it is getting bigger.
Where abouts in the book can I find it?
wowie fly, (my new best friend)Thanks for showing that cat, it is beautiful! Do you have a pic of the BF it became?? Yeah I have noticed the varying colors of these, sometimes caused me to wonder if it was a BST at all...but they were every time. I have never have seen a black one like that > Tell me please, what is the plant he is on in the picture??
I so love BSTs, and still rather new at them (a few years)..and I am still asking questions which might make people think I am blonde...(lol, luvsgrtdanes). I guess that proves either blondes aren't as duh as everyone says, or brunettes can be just as duh...
...haha
In any case I will keep asking questions without shame, bc I have always received the most gracious help from the gardeners here @ daves.
Cheers!
Debnes
Now wait just a minute! ;) I'm going to answer part of your question. His cat is on Rue. My BST's chose dill first this year now they are laying all over my Rue. I get it at Redenta's in Arlington.
It's picky about where it wants to live. The 2 plants that I have had the longest, maybe even a year, are in afternoon shade and don't get overwatered. Full sun at 100 degrees + for 40+ days was a little too much on my other one. It's not dead tho so I might move it. (good idea)
As Linda was saying, they "change appearance", but she doesn't just mean color. The first few instars of BST's look totally like a different cat. I am lame at keeping track of stuff but I think it's probably the 3rd instar that they have their "normal" stripes. Then the color can vary but they still look the same.
This is a 2nd instar BST.
Oh yeah KK you got it gurl!
I have seen bunches of those on my parsley and like you, got some pretty decent snapshots of them too.. Thanks for the tip about Redenta's, fly is realy cool help with some things but YOU sister, live in my area :-)!!
Funny too how I saw a Monarch flying around my yard yesterday, but she left so quick I couldn't take her picture, (probably looking for some nice milkweed, which I don't have ,...yet). N E How.....this afternoon I lingered outside after getting Ben from school and lo and behold she posed for me a couple times.
Thanks KK, and all!
Debnes
Once on the Buddelia
This message was edited Sep 11, 2006 4:59 PM
This message was edited Sep 11, 2006 7:21 PM
Then up in the Bradford Pear>
Hey guys
The field guide doesnot show cats in different colors but during the tim I have ben doing this I have noticed their coloration as adult bfleis and the difference between the male and female coloration is some what slight . the female has more blue with lighter or white markings along the trailing edges of the forewing and aft wing as the male is a definate yellow markings an a lot less blue.
The all black cat is still feeding and as soon as it becomes a bfly I will post a pic. I am curious also. Most omy ats and eggs have been liad on rhue and fennell but they do go to dill and parsley as well.
My monarchs are an wild milk weed and this year has been very productive.
I have checked the book the only address that is on it is
Forest Health Tecnology Enterprise team, Morgantown,WestVirginia
pamphlet number FHTET-96-34 dated Nov 1997
also a phone # 1800-245-6340 and usda target center1-202-720-2600
I knew I liked you bflybo!
I saw a rue plant at Lowe's the other day but it is a squarose. I asked the slick fella that seemed like their expert there if they had any milkweed and he said, "Isn't that what people try to get rid of in their garden?"
I was shocked!! :-0
http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/deborahsongs_1119901359_892.jpg
(When I subscribed this year I changed my alias to the name most people know me by.)
Konkrete~
Here's a pic like that I posted last year. I just love these...but now I am going to add some fennel, and more dil, and some of the right kind of rue.
{;-)
Nice pic...is that a little ant on the stem? You should come see my butterfly garden in person. :)
bflybo, I'm confused now. I thought you were saying the book and your observations noted certain colored CATS that turned into specific gendered butterflies.
There IS a difference in the male and female butterfly colors. I thought you were saying that maybe the cats that have less green were males and maybe the more orange were females.
The problem with me ever knowing which cat turns into what butterfly is having them all in the same cage and not being able to know which one is in what chrysalis.
It's your job to study this theory and track it. :)
Ok Paige, if Deb gets to come see your BF garden, I want to tag along. I am off on medical from work right now and would love to have the distraction from my boredom!! I would love to have you up here too. I am lacking in cats this year, but I have milkweed, butterfly bushes, etc. just waiting for that Monarch on Deb's side of town to wander over. LOL!
Sheila
Sheila, when I posted that yesterday I thought I should write you too! The yard is mowed and edged now so come on! I'll d-mail you what time I'll be home this week.
I'm bring my camera lol