Alms for the poor: No butterflies

I just don't understand it. Still have no butterflies in my yard. No eggs, nuttin'. Either the two freezes we got did them in, or the tornado 1/2 mile away.

Anyone have any extra eggs? (only partially kidding).

Becky, I just ordered the green shrimp plant from shady oaks nursery. It comes in three sizes, from $2 to $5.

Good idea about the Green Shrimp Plant...I ordered 50 from Shady Oaks Nursery earlier in the year as well as Frog Fruit, Bacopa and False Nettle :o) Dratted freaky weather has done a number on them but they are recovering nicely.

~ Cat

Karen, that tornado was a real doozy, wasn't it? My Aunt and Uncle live in Lady Lake (on Lake Griffin) and it barely missed them. There was no damage to their subdivision, but they couldn't get out of the neighborhood because all the main roads between them and the city were closed. I spent many a Thanksgiving with them, and was always amazed at how tall the Turks Caps and Lantana got there. What a beautiful part of Florida.

Sorry I can't help you with the butterflies.

Carla

I ordered frog fruit too.

Great news! This morning had a female black swallowtail laying eggs on the green fennel and the parsley!!!

So happy!!

The tornado was horrible! Such devastation.

Karen - Oh thanks for the heads up on the Green Shrimp Plant. Will have a to get a couple for my yard! The Frog Fruit grows wild in my yard as a weed. lol It's seems to pop up everywhere!

Glad to hear that you are finally seeing some butterflies. Makes one wonder if the storm damage didn't do something to environment to throw off the returning wildlife. Very odd, indeed.

I know, still have not seen a Monarch and now have 4 areas planted with milkweed.

I did see a hummingbird today, just passing through and it did not stop to drink. But at least i know there are some. So I will keep filling the sugar water and keep my fingers crossed.

Karen,
Do you get Malachite's at your place? (shrimp plant) I'm outside of Clearwater and according to my books we can't get the malachite here.I'm not sure about Becky's place...Anyway! It's nice to "talk" to other Florida butterfly gardeners. Please feel free to chat with me about Cats and stuff. I'll totally send you egg's if you'd like.

~Adrienne

P.S. Do you get Buckeye's? :)

Well ...... according to this website link, I don't get the Malachites here either. Now that is a bummer! I wished I got the Luna Moths here also, but not those either. :-/
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/map?dc=1880&_dcc=1&si=10

What other butterflies use the Green Shrimp Plant? Anyone know? I wonder if I should even bother to purchase a few of those plants.

Becky and Adrienne,

The reason I am getting the green shrimp plant is that someone here mentioned that the malachite, while located in southern Florida, is gradually moving on up. So I figured that I would have a nice tasty treat for them if they do decide to visit.

Yes, lots of Buckeyes. But I don't really know if I have anything as a host plant for them. I have seen them eating from the Duranta.

Karen - Hmmmmm ...... I just looked at the state range for the Malachites and the range is just south of me...... maybe I will get some Green Shrimp Plants afterall! Thanks for the optimistic attitude! You just might be right!!! Do the hummers like the Green Shrimp Plant as well? Seems I read that somehwere or heard it. I know this plant is used by some other creatures as well.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1783&chosen_state=12*Florida

That I don't know but it doesn't hurt to have it just in case.

Glad to 'read' that your thread title is no longer true, Karen ..

good point Magpye