Red Admiral on some old banana.
DAILY BUTTERFLIES Page 20
Gulf Frit on Zinnia. These butterflies were the most numerous for me this year and last.
Last year, I had up to six each day. This year, I had around 16 or more each day.
Yes -- I know it's not a butterfly, but these are still fun to watch.
I believe this is a big heavy Carpenter Bee loving on the Marigolds.
Mexican Sunflower - Tithonia.
Funny thing. I planted these seeds way back in May.
I never saw them at all until this month.
I just figured that I had a bunch of worthless seeds.
These flowers are so pretty - but they don't last long.
I still don't understand their long delay, but oh well.
Hopefully, I'll have more of these next year.
Debnes, that's some great information! I didn't realize it was so quick with the swallowtails. Now, you had stated that I would be the posterchild for Swallowtails in Indiana when we had all the cats pupate. And, from what I've observed with these last 5 butterflies that have eclosed in the last week or so, they wait until later in the day to eclose. Last weekend, one eclosed at 6:00 p.m. The ones before these did indeed eclose before 8:30 a.m. I found that to be interesting.
And, we were afraid the one we released this evening was too cold to fly off, so we brought her back inside (it was overcast and 61). Tomorrow morning, we'll let her out.
Thank you everyone! :-)
Debnes, I am glad you said what you did.
Our first one this morning, was released about 15 minutes before I wrote that post, then I got nervous, precisely because I have seen so many different answers. First one completely emerged at 8:52am, so almost 2 hours before released.
Our second one, almost 3 and half hours... she was ready and I swear I kept hearing her shout as she flew around the large house(LH - it is the one that the chrysalis' is in/on), Come-ONNNNN and open up!! ;-) So, at 4:30, I took LH outside, so she could feel the warmth. Just as I unzipped the front, my neighbor across the street came over to watch. Well, little miss 'hurry up and open the door', clung to the edge of the door! *laughs* She finally took off at 4:46pm - straight up to a leaf in the oak tree. Neighbor went home, shaking her head and laughing, then my mom and I watched for the next hour or so as the little one flew around us, then checked the milkweed, the Thryallis, the bottle-brush, the ixora, then sat on the edge of a Sago frond for few minutes, then started the flying process all over again. Just as my mom was getting ready to run up to Home Depot for something, the little one did one last fly-by, then I didn't see her after that. :-( I said a prayer for her, and for her older sister - especially since the first didn't get as long to rest up before leaving.
So, with the prayer still on my lips as I walked, came back into the garage and checked on the other 3 chrysalis' (one should eclose in the AM) and then checked on the 11 babies (1 day emerged from eggs) and the 4 eggs still to emerge.
As far as room to roam, they have it. At first, I used containers, we weren't expecting anything, had just planted 3 of 4 milkweed plants we picked up... the fourth had a cat on it. And it has gone from there! :-) So, I ordered a large house and a jumbo house, I use the jumbo right now for all the babies, the bigger ones (don't have any left now) and their plants. I can fit 4 good sized potted plants in the jumbo, plus in the room in between them, I put the yogurt cups(filled with foam). In the large house, I hot-glued a twig/stick in the back from the top to the opposite bottom, have a large stem cutting (just under 2 feet) in another yogurt cup, sitting in the back left against the mesh with a good sized square basket taking up the rest of the room, well, close to it.
What I've been doing is if they form their chrysalis on a leaf, after about 24 hours, I'll take the leaf and using low-temp glue gun, I'll wrap the leaf around the underside of the basket handle (basket has 5 layers of paper towels, just in case someone falls). If they get restless and keep coming off the plants (cats 4 & 5!!!), then I'll just move from jumbo house to large house and let them roam on the mesh, crawl up stick or get on milkweed. Cat 4 did this and finally changed into chrysallis on a leaf, but cat 5 was having no part of it. So, he is happily in his green machine now at the back of the large house hooked to the mesh top. :-)
-Christine
Wanted to share one of our little ones as it pushed out the skin. From the date on the image, it is either our second butterfly of today, or it is the one that should be eclosing tomorrow (I'd have to look at the time in my journal), but in any case..... I just have found this to be fascinating.
-Christine
Christine,
Isn't it cool to watch them pupate? Probably one the most incredible things I've seen.
Sounds like you are having great success and great fun with your Monarchs. Congrats!!
Beautiful pics pford!! Talk about your crystal clear, Wow!
Well about the releasing time folks~ I know it wasn't the most popular answer in the group here, but if anyone wants substantiating record of releasing butterflies as early as 30min-1 hour... (even Monarchs). The documentation is in this thread's archives.
When a butterfly ecloses, my intervention is done. Meaning, I do not prefer to control their life for any longer than absolutely necessary. In the wild they would maybe hang from their chrysalis or a plant outside. I rather them not remember being captive if I can help it. I only interfere as long as I do to protect them from predators. Butterflies are not only precious to me, they are a sort of symbol of true freedom.
Once the veins in the wings are filled out completely without any crimping in the process.. they can fly. Maybe not far, but they can. I suppose this is the style of raising I have adopted. Some people do it different for their own reasons, and that's fine with me. I am just very glad everyone here is producing butterflies.
I also felt it necessary to make my input because some folks might have a butterfly eclose in the morning and they have to leave, and can not wait 4 hours. I would rather carry them out to let them grab onto a plant in the garden, than leave them in a cage that long. Even if it's cold and a bit rainy, though not in a hail storm..lol.
I have some more Monarchs eclosing in the next few days, and maybe some BSTs and GSTs too. I will document them and show the time the pics are taken in the next thread.
debnes
Also I would be interested to hear input from Becky, Linda, Cat and Donna on this subject. I will make a new thread in a bit, okay..
What a sight while digging the butterfly weed today. I love to take this time out and enjoy what we are offered in life. The strong desire I have for my flowers and to be able to enjoy them with all.
Did you know that Hoary Mountain Mint are a great attraction to the butterflies as well? The aroma is a favorite of mine but the beauty of many of the snapshots I got in saving these from the loggers is well worth it. We have found many homes so far for the hoary, milkweed and many more wildflowers has made all the hard work well worth it. When we get the call we have to work on saving many of these, the adrenaline gets a flowin'
Hi there Viola!!
I love your garden.. great flowers! Yes the mint is a great butterfly plant. I actually grew some more varieties this year myself.:-)
Please join us in the new thread, this was was going long...
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/779676/
See you all there!
debnes