I saw a Grey Hairstreak laying eggs on my purple porterweed flower buds. I can't find anything that says porterweed is a host plant. Is it? I know it's a good nectar plant. : )
Grey Hairstreak
Well, funny that you should have such a question, because I was going to post a question here on the forum as well. I hope you don't mind me adding my question here on your thread too.
I just saw that Necklace Pod (Sophora tomentosa) is listed as a host plant for Sulphur Butterflies. I find that hard to believe as I have one in my yard and have never ever seen Sulphur butterflies even near it. Has anyone heard or read of this as a host plant? Maybe it was printed in error on this website list:
http://www.maplestreetnatives.com/bgardens.htm
Oops .... I meant to add in my above post that I have never heard of Porterweed being a host plant. It is a favorite nectar plant for butterflies in my area, but never as a host plant. Maybe an over-zealous mama butterfly who couldn't remember whether she was eating or laying eggs? It can be pretty overwhelming to be a mom sometimes! LOL!
She put eggs everywhere on it. I also noticed she rubs the tips of her wings together just before she lays an egg.
I don't mind you using this thread to ask anything. I might learn something. : )
I just planted a necklace pod seed and it's up. I got it with seeds I ordered, as a extra gift. What does it look like? Do they grow big?
~Lucy
Oh, and Becky.... I see a few more butterflies today. Maybe they are starting to come back. : ) Hope so.
~Lucy
Lucy - I hope you are right about the butterflies coming back. I think it's just too hot and dry here for them right now. (It is for ME!)
The Necklace Pod Plant can grow into a large shrub:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2245/
Mine is small because it is currently in a pot, but it still blooms for me several times a year. And I get lots of seeds as well. If you or anyone else need seeds, LMK.
It is supposed to be a hummer nectar plant. I've never seen butterflies on it. But I do see bees. :-)
Thanks Becky. I guess I could have looked it up, huh? Duh... : )
Lucy-
I just did a TINY bit of research and it says that the G. hairstreak will use a large amount of plants as a Host. They didn't name the family of plant that Porterweed belongs to but that was just 1 site. Peas,Mallow,Clover,Cotton and Beans are the plants that they listed. Are any of those close?
Adrienne
I have some beans across the yard, and there might be clover out in the field beside the house. Other than that, no peas, Mallow or cotton around that I know of.
Thanks for looking around, maybe they use other things that aren't listed, and we just don't know. : )
~Lucy
Lucy-
Keep me posted!
Adrienne