I found more BSTs when I went out to get some herbs tonight. Not unusual, but it has been an unusual egg/cat spring season otherwise! So is it just Texas? Or will it be different in other places? Why is it happening? Just the questions that give me pause! Not complaining, mind you.
What Does It Mean?
Linda, it's been unusual here too. I have released 134 Monarchs since March! That's more than my total last year and it's just beginning. I think each year they lose more native plants due to construction and herbicides. So, when they find a plant they get down to business!
For the Monarchs, Texas may be on their way up north and that could be why they were here early. Lately I haven't seen any eggs, cats, and just a few adults. But, by now the predators are out....I've seen many wasps scouting the mw......I chase them with my shovel! In my mind...the only good wasp is a dead wasp....lol
It's unusual for me, but in a not-so-good way because I've not had any eggs yet. I was hoping for some to take to my son's class before school was out but it doesn't look like I'll be able to do that. I'm sure they'll eventually be here because I've seen some, just no eggs.
Right Linda, I usually don't get going real good with BST's until about June...
Look at us, we're all in Texas where it has just rained like I can't remember, and we had a mild winter. These two things have sparked the BSTs to emerge sooner. Good thing we're ready and on the job is all I can say, we are in for a busy summer. Today I found 2 more cats on the Parsley, almost as big as the ones in the cage. They hide in the big bush really well. I left the small one on there until I get another cage built, 3/4 of the way through now. 1 has already made a chrysalis and 2 are about to... I have no idea how many more are hiding in there, lol.
This is what we want, more BSTs and more butterflies. I think this year we will definatly get our wish. I decided to put the cage on it's side and strap it to a lid from a plastic storage container. It's much easier to sweep out with the plant toward the zipper, and maybe they wont make their chrysalids on the zipper itself.
:-D
Are these guys fat or what???
I just wonder, because normally the Monarchs mostly just pass through southcentral Texas in the spring...few find any eggs/cats. This year, not only here, but I saw numerous eggs/cats on the wild Antelope Horns in various locations. I checked them in the previous few springs, and saw none. Then the two-tailed tigers I'd never seen in spring, the GSTs were really early, BSTs, some were early. Of course, the unusual weather could be a reason. After two years of a bad drought, we're having a lot of rain (more than normal this year), leading to good growth of vegetation. We didn't have a mild winter here, it was alternating between warm and cold.
This message was edited May 4, 2007 1:48 PM
Hi Ladies!
I usually don't get BST's until the end of May but I was "buzzed" by a Mama laying eggs on my Mock Bishop weed (carrot family) this week. I've let part of my backyard go to weeds and I had to cancel my Lawn Service in the "back" for the next few weeks or so. The lawn guys think i'm nuts! :) I'm totally deluged with baby cats! Yay!
~Adrienne
Adrienne - LOL! That's funny about canceling your lawn service in the backyard for couple weeks! I am sure the lawn service fella thinks you are crazy! LOL! But ya gotta do what ya gotta do to save the butterflies! :-) :-)
Have about 15 BST in the chrysalis stage. Had a gob of caterpillars on the rue and meant to bring them in before they wandered off to pupate...but alas, I had to work overtime last week and when I got home late that night after midnight most had absconded!!! Saw some chrysalids on the sides of a few potted plants so I know several made it. Also collected four more I found wandering around the backyard the next morning.
What I'm curious about it the color difference between some cats. Here's two on the same rue branch...and just look at the different coloring.
~ Cat
Cat, my Caterpillars in the Field and Garden book has a picture of what they call the "Desert" Black Swallowtail. If you have that book (or any with this form of the BST cat), check it out!
Linda...
I've got that book and noticed over the years it resembles that caterpillar but nobody out here ever says they saw a Desert Black Swallowtail. I've separated this bugger so will really compare it to my usual BSTs when it emerges.
~ Cat
It is interresting how they are different colors... some more green, some more orange, some more yellow...and some more black. Not sure yet what causes this..
I really like the velvety black ones>
http://pics.davesgarden.com/pics/debnes_dfw_tx_1159587631_712.jpg
I had a few black like that last year.
They all eclosed looking pretty much the same, with the only exception being m and fm wing markings.
I've had all colors but I personally like the bright green ones. I loved when I had the black and orange ones in Oct!
I discovered eggs and some first instar cats today. On the dill and fennel, of course, rather than the Queen Anne's Lace! I'm going to bring the eggs in and try to start feeding them the QAL first and see if they'll eat it. They are supposed to but they never chose it!
Cat - Love your photo of the two different colors of BST cats!
Linda - That's really fascinating about the Desert Black Swallowtails.
Deb & Paige - That is interesting about the different colors. I, too, wonder why there are different colors of BST cats. There must be a reason for it, but have not found any information about why. Sounds like a "possible" good experiment when raising them! lol
konkreteblond,
Let me know if your cat's will eat the QAL. Whenever they're "laid" on one plant they never eat when I've tried to move them. I hope it works for you.! :)
asafla...sorry that I haven't been able to reply until now! Funny that you ask this because I've been suddenly hit with BST eggs and a shortage of food. I started several fennel and dill plants but gave a few away and the half of mine grew into long stalks rather than making a plant. (I think this is bolting??)
Anyways, I've tried to get them to eat the QAL and they won't, and they won't lay eggs on it. I would say that's a wive's tale but I have found one lonely cat eating some outside, once. I think it's the last resort. I sure wish it was the first choice because I have tons of it!!