The Black Swallowtails just eclosed yesterday.. (3 out of 4 that is). Hoping to see the fourth one come out today.
Here are the 2 of those, #3 is still drying his wings> All 3 of these were males
More Black Swallowtails
It was the first 3 from left to right that eclosed...
1 from the yellow chrysalis there, (it was green with him in it).
Then 2 dropped out of the far left one...and climbed up the screen to fill his wings.
And then there were 3
Very cool photos, Deb! Yay!
I have noticed that when I have cats emerging, that the first batch to eclose are males and then the next batch are the females. That happens with Monarchs, too! I've never been able to tell the male from the female Gulf Fritillary, but I bet it is the same for them as well.
Wonderful sucess Debnes!
Great going!!! I was lucky enough to have several females eclose earlier this week. Guess that means I'll be seeing eggs on my rue in due time!!!
Am always thrilled to see those gorgeous butterflies in my yard :o)
Congrats again!!!
~ Cat
Thanks gang!
I believe you're right Becky.. Once we have all the local regulars established, we can increase the perameters. Habitat is what they move on, and where they gravitate to. I have waited years to do this, and this year was a good one to add to larval hosts, because of all the rain we've had. Funny the timing, and I was ready for some new things.
Cat, It's funny how I haven't had any nibbles of the Rue yet, even though it is a really big patch of 3 - 3' plants the Black Swallowtails go for the Bronze Fennel, and the Parsley. I am guess they are saving it for the GST's.
:-D
WTG Deb! They are beauties!
I haven't found any eggs or cats on my Dill or Parsley, but found 6 cats on the Dill at the garden center so I bought them and they threw in the plants!!!! lLOL
Awwww Roxie!!
There ya go girl! Someone else mighta squashed em and paid for the plants. You really have your priorities straight I tell ya! Make a thread for them!
Sounds like something we'd do, hehe! Buying plants with cats is a certain bonus! You know it's the real thing, no doubt..:-) When I walk into a new nursery I aways ask someone what they have with cats on it... If they think I'm nuts, I'm at the wrong nursery..
:-D
After noon today I went out to wait for #4 and he came out about 15 min after. Another male...:-.. I caught him on my finger and put him in the large black screen cage to dry. Then about 30 min his wings were straight enough to fly, and I let him go.
In hatchry>
Then into the drying cage to hang while I water and feed back yard.>>>> I do this so as not to disturb the other chrysalids in the hatchery.
Deb,
I find it funny that they go for the rue out here :o) I also have some dill growing but they haven't touched it. Go figure :o)
~ Cat
It was the dill that the cats I had devoured. The dill was right next to the parsley where I found the chrysalis. I have big, full curly and flat parsley. Come on butterflies! More herb shopping/ seed planting coming up soon for me!