He's doing fine, surgery to put pins in his jaw is on Tuesday. Thanks!
:-)
DAILY BUTTERFLIES Page 28
I have been really lazy (or more accurately - too busy!) to really get any butterfly photos. I have a lot of butterflies in my yard, but just haven't had the opportunity to go outside and chase them down for photographs. I never seem to have my camera on me when I release the ones I am raising. Too rushed every morning I guess with work, running my daughter around, and hospital (now rehab) visits to see my mother. I better get with it because last summer all the butterflies disappeared and didn't show up until Fall. :-(
(Too hot for them probably!)
Here is a photo I just took of one of my Monarch's eclosing, one in it's chrysalis just about ready to eclose (OOPS! I glanced over and it is out of it's chrysalis too!) ... see how fast they are! And a cat near them that is getting ready to pupate. I still have 12 other cats (Monarchs and Queens that are pigging out on milkweed currently).
I have been seeing a lot of Sulphur butterflies. They have been all over my Cassia bushes. Those bushes never died back this winter and only drop leaves when I over-water them. The seeds look really weird, too. Not like most Cassia/Senna plants. The pods are ripening now and I have been collecting seeds. These plants get very tall and bushy and the Sulphur's are all over them. I have no idea what cultivar this Cassia is.
This message was edited Feb 3, 2008 11:46 AM
Here's a photo of the other Monarch which just emerged! I'll release them later this afternoon. I must remember to hang my camera around my neck before I do! LOL!
Neato coolo Becky!! I knew you were up to some BF action over there. So glad your mom is doing better. How busy you must be! Spring Break will be coming up soon, and you will get a little rest..... :o).
Sheila & I volunteered to work at the FW Botanical Garden Butterfly exhibits the whole month of March. I hope to get some pics of the exotics we will be tending there. Expecting about 12,000 butterflies from over 20 species from all over the globe.
Species will include:
Butterflies
Great Mormon http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/342/
Mormon http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/4645/
Tailed Jay http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/2382/papilionidae/agamemnon.htm
Cattleheart http://www.pbase.com/image/91719216
White Peacock http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/196/
Blue Morpho http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/109/
Paper Kite http://www.cirrusimage.com/butterfly/Paper_kite_butterfly_01.jpg
Clipper http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/333/
Great Eggfly http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/86/
Maylay Lacewing http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/4611/
Small Postman
Postman http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/269/
Zebra Longwing http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/95/
Julia LW http://www.cirrusimage.com/butterfly_Julia.htm
Tiger LW http://www.flickr.com/photos/26782864@N00/1585674474/
Moths:
Atlas http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/showimage/667/
Comet http://images.wildmadagascar.org/pictures/andasibe-Mantady/Comet_moth_00.jpg
Sheila and I think this moth looks like a ballerina It is a relative to the Luna moth and ecloses without a mouth or proboscis.
Madagascan Sunset http://www.butterflyutopia.com/BIG/162A.jpg an unusual moth that flies durin the daytime...
Can you guys tell how excited I am? LOL! I know Sheila is too.:o)
I will post any pics I get in the dailies here..
Debnes, that list is fantastic, wow, the colors of the moths are almost shocking! I hope you and Sheila have a great time. Glad to hear your nephew is progressing, hope surgery goes well tomorrow.
Becky, those pics are lovely! What a crop of monarchs!
When I first started keeping track of the monarchs here last week, I found 11. I had 10 accounted for, figures the last one made a break for it before I could round it up into the lanai. Well, I found it yesterday! This little ceramic holder has been sitting next to the Fruit Sage I planted a few weeks ago, I've filled it up with water several times over the week and went to use it as a sand carrier yesterday late afternoon. As I was carrying it, I felt something brush my hand, first instinct was to let it go, then the bf beeper went off in my head, and sure enough, there it was!
Here's a closer view. I think this one will eclose first.
I was never able to get any pics yesterday of the monarch about to pupate, but it did so overnight (must be camera shy). The last one J'ed yesterday, and I'm guessing it will pupate while I'm at work! :-(
I did see 2 GF's yesterday, and then this big wonderful surprise! I was standing on my tiptoes trying to get a pic, suprised my neck doesn't hurt today!
This was the closest shot I got. There's a citrus in the neighbor's yard right on the other side of these trees. It kept on landing on the mango tree. I was hoping it would discover the calamondin and lemon trees I planted, and the rue, but I didn't see it go near any in my yard.
Cathy
Cathy~ Great pics! The Giant may be a patrolling male looking for a mate... The chrysalis up there doesn't look quite right. Usually they go from green to transparent before eclosing. If I were you I would disconnect that one and put it in quarantine. The milky color suggests it may be inhabited by parasites. You don't want it to infect any other cats or chrysalids. If so don't get discouraged.. Parasites are a natural fact of raising butterflies. My last batch of about a dozen Monarchs were infected last year. I know how discouraging it can be.
Any of you are welcome to call me if you need to talk 817 919 5625, or dmail me with your phone #, It doesn't cost me anything within the US.
debnes
Oh bugger! I will call DH and have him separate it from the rest of the crew.
Thanks Debnes!
I'm so glad someone else saw a swallowtail. I saw one twice in the past week or two but I kept doubting myself. I'm pretty sure mine is a Polydamas because I didn't see tails, but it could have been a Palamedes. I keep checking my pipevine and hoping.
In other news, I have planted some more host plants! I moved my two spicebushes so they have more room to spread, and I also planted an Eastern Mayhaw and a Hercules' Club. I have two parsley hawthorns as well. Dad told me that old folk wisdom says not to prune a hawthorne because the fairies that live in it might get mad. I don't like pruning anyway, so I think we'll get along just fine. I'm hoping I can attract some Red-Spotted Purples, but I'll be happy to get some mayhaw fruits if nothing else.
I saw a sulphur while I was driving today, and some kind of skipper was roaming around my verbena. It's certainly warm enough here in Tampa, but it looks like we'll cool down a little on Thursday. I had to turn on the air conditioning last night it was so warm in the house.
Melanie
Melanie - This Fall/Winter seems to be the time for butterflies here in Florida! I have had so many butterflies in my yard on a daily basis that it is amazing to me. Of course, my butterfly gardens are finally taking off as well so I am sure the two go hand in hand!
I released 3 Queens and 1 Female Monarch today! Here is a photo of the Monarch.
This message was edited Feb 4, 2008 8:35 PM
And here is a photo of one of the Queens.
Ahh Stunning pics Becky!!
:o)
So pretty! I have to work downtown on a daily basis so I don't get to see too many butterflies. When the days are longer I see them flying around when I get home, but it's still too dark at 5:00 this time of year. It certainly is warm enough - my computer says we had a high of 82 today. I checked the pipevine and the senna but nothing yet. Luckily, my passion vine resprouted so my last little Gulf Frit cat has plenty to eat. It's kind of scary how fast those passion vines grow. We did have a lot of rain lately, but still! Good thing the cats keep them in check.
Melanie
Cathy - You are becoming quite the butterfly/cat photographer! I am enjoying all your beautiful photos! Keep em coming!!!
Mekanie - Hmmm ... speaking of which ... my Passion vines are outta control again. I hate to whack them down, but my gosh ... this is February! I thought for sure we'd get enough of a freeze to kill them back some. Nadda.
I really have a hard time cutting them back right now because I am finally seeing a few Gulf Fritillaries and Zebra Longwings around my yard. And of course the attraction is the huge vines along my east backyard fence. But if I don't cut them back they will lift up my yard and suck my house down into their bottomless root pit. (Well ... maybe not ... but they ARE taking over all my garden beds along the east side of the backyard.) I gotta do something. What's a butterfly lover to do?????? Argh!
I was pulling some of them away from the garden beds, looking underneath, and saw all kinds of Passion fruit laying on the ground. I guess I need to gather them up and see if I can't collect some seeds. I love these vines, but I planted way too many. That's what happens when you discover gardening for the first time ... and butterflies ... and go overboard! WARNING TO ALL YOU NEWBIES! One or two plants of a particular vine is all you need, not 10-12 vines! lol! Seriously though ... no joke!
Oh to be swimmin' in passionvines!! LOL! I can think of worse things..
You're right Cathy sure is taking some great pics!
Thanks gals! With all the super help here on DG, and Melody's patient pointers, I've been making "picture progress."
Debnes, you were so right about the chrysalis looking/being parasitized. When I came home yesterday, I looked over all of them and saw another that had that kind of dusky look, so outside it went with the other one. When I went out and checked them this morning, the drippy trail of slime was there, UGH. Didn't know if there was anything left inside, or if the critter was gone, but I put both of them into a ziploc and filed them in the trash.
Here's the one in the blue planter this morning.
I think this one may have the cooties too. The last skin is all squished up at the top of the chrysalis.
I was looking online for info on parasite info, and came across this page, which explained and showed exactly what happened.
http://www.birdchick.com/2007/06/caterpillar-parasites.html
One more interesting article, from 2004, about parasites in Monarchs, specifically the south Florida population.
http://www.fcla.edu/FlaEnt/fe87p408.pdf
Becky, is the flower up there with the Queen bf a Centaurea of some sort? It's awfully pretty.
Cathy
Cathy - YOU are GOOD! The plant is a Brazilian Bachelor Button courtesy of DonnaB. I've never grown one before and she sent me a cutting which is doing well. Here is the PlantFile:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/713/
When I saw the photo of the Monarch chrysalis, I knew it was a sick puppy. Good call on Deb's part to warn you to remove it. Over the years, I've learned about many of the parasites and diseases that our lovely cats/butterflies can fall prey to. Such a bummer! But I am sure you will have many chrysalises that will be just fine and produce some beautiful butterflies! :-)
Gorgeous, thanks for the link!
I was sad of course, for the bf, or lack of bf, in the chrysalis, but at least now I know and can take care of that before it becomes a problem. Dang parasites!
I saw 3 Monarchs laying eggs on the mw in the last week, so the new crop of cats will be hatching soon...
I'm watching for Queens, and I figure the Polydamas will be back soon. The pipevine has grown quite a bit, so it's ready for a mowing!
WOW!!! Lots of butterflies ya'll are showing off! I haven't seen much at my house...one lone sulphur yesterday...then the wind kicked in - the news said the gusts were 25-40mph...and the temperatures got into the high 90's. Freaky weather!!! Such horrible tornadoes in Arkansas and Kansas and such. Do hope all our members that live in those areas are safe.
Haven't been to the park but we had lovely weather today...too bad I had to work!
Set the Forbes Silkmoth female outside last night but no male showed up. Will set her out again tonight. If one doesn't show up by Saturday I'm going to set her free.
~ Cat
It rained cats, dogs and butterflies yesterday! I couldn't believe my eyes when I noticed a male EBST had eclosed in the castle yesterday. I have the cage in the backyard under a patio awning. Maybe he'll head south and find some of svplantingfool's butterflies in warmer weather. LOL
I enjoy reading seed and plant catalog's descriptions of plants offered. It just amazes me to find nurseries that cater to butterfliers and have their own information to share. Especially interesting to me was Rose Franklin's experience with Baltimore Checkerspots moving to another host plant late in it's caterpillar life. I didn't know some would do that! Needless to say, I'm planting these two plants (Turtlehead and Penstemon) next to each other just in (the unlikely) chance I get visited by these butterflies.
http://www.butterflybushes.com/butterfly_host_plants.htm
I hope all stay safe in this freaky weather we are having, cold, windy and rainy one day and warm and sun shining the next. Just the pattern for a tornato. Take Care everyone.
Deborah
Thanks Deborah, I just discovered that gas plant is also a food source for the GST, neato. I had no idea it was in the Rutaceae family. Must get gas plant, must get gas plant....
I'll be looking for your EBST's! I just started 50 peat pellets of dill to stick here and there in the beds, and the 100 or so parsley plants are just sending out true leaves.
Hoping we'll get some rain tonight.
Cathy
Cathy, I'll tag some gas plant seeds for you in the bf & hummer seed swap envie.
Deborah,
Fantastic, thought I had seen them in there somewhere, figured I would scan the threads tonight, big THANK YOU!
Cathy
Learn something new every day. : ) I have never heard of a gas plant. Looks pretty , tho. : )
~Lucy
You guys in Florida and S. GA. are creating some serious butterfly envy here.... Sorry about those parasites Cathy. Turtlehead, Penstemon, Gas Plant... going to read more. And the butterfly & hummer seed swap...
Elaine
Thanks Elaine!
I'm sad to report that several more developed the milky look and were filed appropriately. There are 5 left, and I think that they may be OK, but I'm still not 100% sure, so I just keep checking on them, with fingers crossed. :-(
Cathy
Mom is figuring out her new camera and got to release another Gulf Frit today. So she demanded I share her pics with everyone! Here it is right after it came out.
And this is when she set him out to be free.
Nice photos! I love the fact that your parents are really getting involved in your new passion! I wish I could get my mother interested. It would probably do her some good to get her mind off her health issues.
We're pretty fortunate that our hobbies tend to overlap. Dad's woodworking skills made my compost bins, and he's also very interested in trees now (mostly making them into things). His woodworking club is very sustainable. He was talking to a guy who was saying how no woodworker in Florida should have to buy wood because there are over 800 species in the state. Plus, there's a guy with a tree-trimming service in our neighborhood, and Dad stops by every week to see what he's got.
Dad was looking in his tree book tonight and started asking me about Hercules' Club. I had to laugh and tell him I planted one last week! This spring, I'm going to have all the butterflies!
Melanie
Melanie, what beautiful photos!!! That is so great that you can share your love of butterflies with your parents, and all the extensions there of- I love the homemade compost bins! I have to look up Hercules Club...
The first ZLW I've seen this year floated through the garden today, just for a brief moment. Can't wait until they come back in full force, their gentle floating presence is so relaxing here.
Cathy
I saw a ZLW today, also. : ) It was nectaring on my Mexican Flame vine. Some visitors from Canada stopped by, and loved seeing how slow and softly it flew around. They took pictures of it, to take back to their friends.
Ahhh! Y'all are giving me hope that I might see more ZLW butterflies! It was quiet in the yard today. Some butterflies, but not as many as usual. Probably because it was overcast. That is except the BIRDS were everywhere! LOL!
sigh,,,,,,come on spring.
Tell your mom "Great shots of the frits!!" Melanie!
The warmth from yesterday gave me a few flighty visitors... A Question Mark, a Sulphur, (not sure which, maybe dogface) and a Cabbage White! Last winter was a real winter here...All I saw was an occasional American Snout Butterfly.
This winter has been the most two-faced I have ever seen. A few days of cold in between days like this weekend.. Sunny and 68-70 degrees!!
I spread some seeds for Mustard Greens last fall to see who might use it...
And there were several dandelion blooms...
