I've had Nettle plants in my yard forever and I've never seen the cat's. I finally saw one of the mama's laying eggs! Wow! The eggs are the exact color of the leaves! It was almost impossible to see them....but I managed to bring 3 inside! I'm so excited!! I can't wait to see their cocoons!!
~Adrienne
That *is* exciting. I have these butterflies, have had them forever, but I never, ever saw a caterpillar. They're cool looking.
What are nettles, exactly? I did a PF search and a bunch of Lamium and Coleus came up. I have a Beacon Silver Lamium, some grocery store Coleus, and probably some stinging nettle, butthere are two kinds. ONe with a pretty white flower and one with a tassle-ey flower...what kinds are you talking about? The reason I ask is that I need to rip out some 'Beacon Silver' Lamium this year that is taking over the place, but won't do it if I need it for Red Admirals.
Suzy
Suzy'
Sorry for my lack of info.According to Make Minno's site (FL butterfly genius) http://www.afn.org/~afn10853/hosts.htm
it's False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica)
The cats are cool !
~Adrienne
Congrats Adrienne!!! Red Admirals are lovely butterflies.
I have yet to raise any of those myself...have never been able to find their eggs or cats. The real stinging nettle they use at the ranch grows wild...but I'm just not too keep on getting mixed up in that. Do have some false nettle I purchased to attract Question Marks a few months ago that is growing wonderfully...perhaps the Red Admirals will make use of it too.
Keep sharing those caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly photos - if you have photos of eggs...would like to see those too. :o)
~ Cat
Thank you for the link, Adrienne. It isn't hardy here :((
Adrienne - Keep posting and show us a photo if you can! This is interesting!!!! Way to go finding those eggs!!!
Yay!
All 3 cats have made cocoons! Now they just have to hatch out ok! Cool! The cocoons are small...maybe only the 1st section of my pinkie finger.
~Adrienne
Here's a "head" that fell off after they made their cocoons.
~Adrienne
Well, they all "popped out" perfectly! These cats were really easy! Now I wish I could find more! Had to do the "freeze" thing just to get the shot.
:)
Adrienne
Congrats Adrienne! Nice photos too. I have a lot of RA around but never found eggs, or cats.
Wow! Congratulations! Your butterfly looks so perfectly well-groomed...mine always look a little dog-eared and sort of dusty or something. Hopefully it's because by the time I see mine they've already been out exploring the world and yours is just a babe.
Suzy
Adrienne - How gorgeous your butterfly is!!! Congrats on your success in hand-raising them!!!
Congrats again. RAs are such beauties...too bad they don't stay put for very long!
~ Cat
