Any Overwintering Black Swallowtail Stories? Please share!

Continued from http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/663901/

Now that the 3 are in their chrysalids, I need to take them out so I can wash the cage with bleach, because the little one still has a while b4 changing.

"...I have researched this for a few years, and some have said they have stayed in for as long as 6 months...I am starting a new thread about this question. There's nothing like hearing a witness first hand. Please share your stories!

Question: What are the best conditions to keep overwinering BSTs?

A couple of years ago, I found 2 BST cats in Oct. I out it in the little cage we had and it pupated and then did nothing. I left it on our screened porched for most of the winter only bringing it into the garage on the single digit days - I figured they survived attached to bushes all winter normally. Anyway, March then April rolled around and the light & weather started to change and one day we came home and one of the crysalis had opened but the butterfly didn't make it - not sure why. A couple of weeks later, we came home and there was a beautiful BST butterfly in our cage. The kids were so excited (so was I for that matter!). We made a big deal out of it then set it free and it just floated on the wind out to a new flower. What a cool wonder of nature!!

Oh, this is good to read because I have a giant swallowtail chrysalis now that hasn't done anything in 3 weeks. Karen

My two BST cats were laying in the bottom of the cage when I got home. I picked them up and gently got them on a leaf group. One may be a goner, but one was still moving. Not sure what caused it. They had eaten all of the new growth and I twined a lower sprig of leaves so they could grab them. All I can think is that the older foliage may have insectide on it.
I put them back up on the newer growth, but hold out little hope. I may take them off and wash the plant in the sink then put them on again. Any suggestions or cautions?

Aw Sheila,
I'm so sorry, but I think they may not make it. Healthy cats are usually pretty active, and judging from what you have said it looks pretty bleak sister. Caterpillars are suseptible to all sorts of things..surely chemicals, but often it is one of many hundred viruses. We learn as we go, doing things differently, asking questions, (like you are doing now), and eventually we have success if we just keep at it.
Bless your heart!

Deb

I've had a few overwinter and make it to the next spring. Sheila, I had some BSTs in the past that seemed to have some kind of disease, maybe a virus. I'm talking about cats raised inside from the egg stage, plants all organic. Sad, but there was nothing I could do.

Where did you keep the ones that survived the winter Linda?

:oDeb

Deb, I kept them in a cage on my covered deck most of the winter.

Hey guys
The past several years I have had BST's winter over. This year I have 9 including the all black cat that I posted on DG earlier. the only problems I have found is that occaisionaly spiders will get to them and open the crysalis by boring into it. The ones last year (4) all made it fine thru a moderate winter here in Delaware. The first one appeared in early may about 7 or 8 months of over winter time.

Here is the 4 BSTs all tucked away now (in the back mudroom).. I will probably spray them with a mist of water every few days so they don't dry out..


Nighty Night wee Butterflies

That's really interesting info about overwintering BST Butterflies. I have never seen any chrysalis in my yard that over-wintered. But then again, it doesn't get real cold for very long here in my area. So they may not go into overwintering here. Not sure. Thanks for all the info!

Right Becky they keep going year round in warmer zones for sure.

Deb

I will hold onto my GS chrysalis and see if he decides to come out in the Spring. Hopefully it isn't dead.

Karen I have a feeling it will emerge in a week or 2 where you are. Just keep it safe from wasps and it should be fine.

Deb

It's on my lanai in a BF box. But it has been in there for like 6 weeks.

Can I join too? ;-) We can have an overwintering support group!

We have 11 BST chrysalids. Deb- what is your humidity like there? Right now we're keeping ours on the screened patio but we could keep it in the shed where it would get less light and wind/airflow. This might increase humidity overall without spraying. I have some concerns about spraying them here in FL, the mildew state.The only downside is that we would not be visibly checking it every day.

I'll send an e-mail to the Gainesville Butterfly museum to try to get more firm info.

Maggie