Today I spotted a new friend - a Carolina Satyr (I think). I've seen it in my grandma's yard in WV, but it was a first for my yard. My book says their host is St. Augustine grass so you think they would be in everyone's yard in FL. A lot of the deed-restricted communities here require homeowners to use St. Augustine.
beautiful bf's all
who are we?
and me?
I'm a little shy...
Well, the plumbagos are pretty big. As you can see from the pic, our house is blue, and Dad thought the plumbagos matched. I think there's three plumbagos there; they've kind of grown together. I think everyone in Tampa has them. I wouldn't say I have one dedicated butterfly garden - it's more like I plant bf friendly plants all over the yard. And, like bfs, I like plants that flower a lot.
Theyr'e also on the other side of the house. I also planted sage, porterweed, and blanket flowers (not blooming right now) underneath. In the basket I'm growing Neoregelia "Fireball" (bromeliads are my first love). Dad said he saw a butterfly go in one of them and we think he might have been drinking the water out of it. I do see them land on the bromeliads; I wonder if the bright colors attract them? Bromeliads do flower, but I don't think they actually have nectar in them. Also, I set one of those dishes you put under pots in the yard (lower left in the pic). I filled it with leftover lava rocks and I let it collect rain water (or I fill it from the rain barrel). I read that it's good to have a puddling area, but I worried about mosquitos. Then I read that mosquitos like to lay eggs on water with a flat surface, so they'll avoid the rocks. But since bfs have long proboscis, they can get the water from in between the rocks. Neat!
the first one (on the white flowers) is a Red Admiral. The second one is some type of Frit. Maybe a Great Spangled or Meadow? I'm sure someone will come along and know!!
Debilu, your first pic looks like Red Admirals (so cute!) and the second looks like one of the Fritillaries. I don't get those in my neck of the woods so I'll let one of the other experts help. I know many of them are very similar.
Melanie
Ooh, we cross-posted!
This message was edited Sep 17, 2007 6:27 PM
what are those white flowers??........ nice looking !......cool butterflies as well.
The white flowers are gooseneck loosestrife - I think they are very cute - but they are invasive. I planted them inside a pot w/the bottom cut out. I'm moving them, so in the pot they were actually easy to dig up - but I noticed the roots are growing right out the top of the pot. So I think I need a deeper pot, but once I get them repotted and replanted, I'm keeping an eye on them so they stay put.
I came home to find that two TST cats had turned a really dark color. They had been pretty much been just staying still lately, so I knew something was up. One had dumped its body fluids already before I checked them tonight and the second one has also since then. They should be pupating pretty quick. Will try to get pics tomorrow.
Melanie, that Plumbago is beautiful. You should see mine, you would laugh. I have three plants around the yard and if they are not looking dead they bloom a little. Actually right now they are all blooming but they are so pitiful looking. I just think they are so beautiful and hopefully they will look better next year. Great butterfly pics, you get a lot of good ones. Sorry you lost your babies.
Leslie
I hope you get to witness the eclosing of your TSTs Linda, and please...please get pictures.
When I made my rounds this morning I found this guy/gal lying on the black eyed susans.........I am not sure what it is ......... but........... I am fairly sure that it is no ok :( ........
Ja, that looks like a Vine Sphinx, what a beauty! He may be okay, I've seen the Sphinxes rest on my plants during the day.
James - he is cute
I know it ........ but I don't think that he was feeling too well this morning when I was home ...... are they like bats maybe??
Meaning flying after the sun goes down? ....yes
See if you spot him before sundown and then see if he takes off after it gets dusk.
the last time I saw him he had moved across the driveway into the row of lantana .......perhaps where he could find deeper cover........
Yes ........ that is what I meant ....... nocturnal ...... he flies at night?
I am guessing that butterflies are not nocturnal?
so he could have been looking for a place to lay up for the daylight hours??.......
I took the larger TST cat outside this morning to get a shot while it was still moving on occasion. But they're both attached and going into the pupating posture now.
Ja, very cool moth, I hope he was ok.
I love those TST. hopeing for one of those next year.
chris
Okay I am going to have to get a new camera. I am tired of not getting to show my pics. Not that I have that many but I am getting more with the more babies I bring in. Great moth James.
I have a question about eggs. When I brought in my monarch cats, and they are getting bigger and so cute, I brought in a couple of eggs. But I have brought in eggs before and nothing happens with them. They just stay eggs. What am I doing wrong? Is it because the leaf gets so dried out or what? Should I bring them in on a stalk of plant for a better change or leave them out until they turn into a cat and bring that in? I just don't understand why my eggs never hatch. Any help always appreciated. Thanks guys.
Leslie
I am going to post a pic of some of my other flying friends .......... however.......... thay ARE a bit harder to capture !!!!!!!
My hats off to those of you who send in clear close pics of the hummers .......I appreciate the talent that it takes to get those great captures..........
Wow gang! What great pics!!
Happy to see those Tigers doing well Linda!! And James that is a really cool Banded Sphinx! I would love to raise one or 2 of those. My daughter had one in her car one day, and she drove all the way over here to ask me what it was. She was so excited, lol!
Can't be sure Leslie.. although I have caught small predators draining eggs before.. Hard to say.:-
Debilu~ I love the loosestrife! Save some seeds for the round robin if you can.
Mellie, your house is charming.. I love the blues!
Felicia~ The green eye sounds lovely! Can't wait to see it blooming next spring!
Waves o/~ at Roxanne and Sheila!!!!
Y'all~ I have been working on a project the last few days, and I'm not sure when I can come up for air.. Mel or someone can feel free to make another page, and I will get back here when I can.. Just post the url to the new page here after ya make it. Thanks!!
Love you guys!!
debnes
Here are 4 of the 5 sulphurs released on Monday. I know the contrast isn't that great.. but I thought they would feel at home waiting to fly off from their host plant. :-)
That's a lot of Sulphurs Deb!
Leslie, when the eggs hatch the cat is so tiny you might miss it. I put the leaf with the egg in a covered dish and put new leaves in there when the other gets wilted, but don't remove any old leaves yet. The cats will move to the fresh leaves, then you can remove the old ones. You'll start seeing little chewed edges and soon you'll be able to see them, they grow fast.
Be sure and put the different sizes in separate containers because they will chew the leaves with the eggs, I don't think they see it, you know how they are little eating machines.
I've been lurking around this thread for awhile, enjoying all the beautiful pictures. Bought me a new camera last week and have been chasing butterflies to try out the supermacro feature. Was lucky enough to get a couple of shots of a mourning cloak (first one I've ever seen!) on my compost pile. This is the dorsal view.
And a side view.
Congradulations MartyJo!! Those are great shots. It is a neat looking butterfly. Here is the link on DG Bugfiles for the MC, you need to add your pictures too.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/7/
Welcome in MartyJo! Congrats indeedy on the new camera too. Very good maiden shots in your voyage through the lens. Butterflies make some of the best subjects you will find. Sure it's hard to get them to sit still sometimes, (okay, a lot)... but when they are busy with good nectar or food it makes a bit of difference. If they are laying eggs they can be downright persistent to stay, and don't care if you take their picture at all!
MC are fruit feasters as you have already seen, lol. I have never seen one nectaring a flower. Looks like theres a lot of good eating around your place!
Sheila raised one this year!! It was way cool!
debnes
Marty congrats on a great BF and welcome. That one is a beauty. I don't think I have even seen a pic of that one before. So cool when he is closed up his wings look all crumpled. A real beauty. I am working on getting a good camera also so I can finally share some pics. Sorry, I know there is another page and I should not be responding here. We are at page 19 fellow nature lovers.
Leslie
I must have missed reading a post, cause I dont remember a link to the next page. I am going to find it now...bunch of flat leavers you are!! :)
Just joking, here is a link to next page.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/772755/
chris
