Okay I have two questions today. I raised gulf frits last year and am expecting some more this year (hopefully). What I cannot remember is how they like to chrysalid. Like my BST's are just using the side of my cage or the dill and parsley stems. I know the Monarchs last year just stuck themselves to the top of the cage. It seems however that I had some kind of sticks or something in the cage for the gulf frits. Can anyone help me here so I will have what I need in case I get any?
Also, I bought one of those candlestick plants this year even though it is not hardy in my zone. I am using it as an annual but cannot remember which butterflies it attracts. Is it sulphurs? Does anyone happen to have any pics they can show me? I was trying to attract some new types of BF's to my yard this year and that is the plant I chose but forgot what it attracts. I know I have not had any cat action on it so far but am hoping before the fall to have some action.
Thanks so much for any help offered.
Leslie
Two BF questions here.
Leslie,
They will pupate on pretty much everything :o)
I like using an inverted wire basket (the kind you line with coconut fiber and pot a plant in). I usually gather up the last instar cats when they are getting ready to pupate and move them to an aquarium with the inverted wire basket.
Have used it for Queens, Monarchs, Swallowtails and Gulf Frits as well as a few other species.
As for the candlestick...sulphurs will use it as a larval host.
~ Cat
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=2650486
This message was edited Jun 25, 2008 3:45 PM
Thanks Cat. I have seen pictures of your basket I think. That is the coolest thing. I am going to look for one. If they all use it then that will be the best thing.
And thanks for the sulphur information.
Leslie
Cat. How cool is that! Isn't that just the wire basket turned up side down? Did you have some kind of mesh over it at one time to keep the cats. in place?
Kim
As long as the Gulf Frits can hang from something they will be happy. And hopefully you will get many sulphurs with your cassia!
Leslie, Happy Birthday!!!!! Hope it's been fabulous!!!
Here's a pic of the Cloudless Sulphur that was on my Cassia, sadly something went wrong when he was pupating.
Kim,
I just set the inverted wire basket in an aquarium I converted into a cat cage. Any large cat cage should do...but because it's a tad harder for them to crawl up the glass of an aquarium...so they opt to use the wire basket :o)
Do ya'll remember way back when (like several years ago in 2005) that Robyn "butterflybyrob" posted photos of a monarch chrysalis tree for a photo contest?
Ya'll really need to check out the photos. They are still breathtaking!!!
http://davesgarden.com/contest/2005/image.php?rid=6163&catid=113
http://davesgarden.com/contest/2005/image.php?rid=6164&catid=113
~ Cat
I remember those...they are amazing!
Now, that's spectacular!!! Thank you, Cat. for sharing.
Kim
Cat I found one of those things like you are talking about at Wal-Mart yesterday and snatched it up. It fits nicely in the cage so I will see if any of the BST's take advantage. If not I am betting some of the other kinds of cats will.
Thanks for the great pic fly-girl. Sorry the baby did not make it. He was a beauty. I have one Cassia in the ground that I bought as a plant and it is growing pretty well. Then I have two in pots that are growing like crazy but not really big enough to put in the ground yet. They are beautiful plants whether I get anything on them or not. I love the way the leaves close up at night like they are going to sleep. So sweet.
Thanks for all advice and birthday wishes.
Leslie
Those pics of the Monarch tree are spectacular. Did they just choose that tree to chrysalid on or is that something she set up? Very, very awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Leslie
Wow!! What amazing pictures!! I want one of those Monarch Trees lol
Thanks for posting them Cat!
Lisa