I've been meaning to ask…
What is MOSI??
My first Attempts
Museum of Science and Industry where I volunteer at the Bio Works Butterfly Garden. Check out our website: http://www.mosi.org/bioworks.html
Cool, thanks for the link.
Okay, this morning we had #2 emerge. It's raining here and this little one is still drying so it will be a while before the release.
I checked this morning and nothing. Couple hours later, POOF! there it is!
#2 was successfully released yesterday. hours later we had #3 emerge. Later in the day I tried to release it, but it was still not ready, fell on the ground near some cobwebs. I picked it up, cleaned it off and put it back in the cage. We had bad storms all night, so i put a flower and sugarwater in the cage. This morning I tried to release it and it's not flying. It's sitting on a zinnia in the garden. I'm a bit concerned.
Meanwhile, it's lethargy made me wonder if I had the right BF! I went to check and in fact, #4 has emerged. #4 was the green cocoon. It's wings are still wet though, so no mistaking it from the other.
I have pictures but not downloaded yet.
Any thoughts on #3, the reluctant one??
I had a Black Swallowtail that just wouldn't leave my hand. Most I can not even get to get on my finger long enought to pull my hand out of the cage. You had said it was rainy or overcast? Even if it doesn't take nectar, it will be fine for a few days. Could be the humidity or temps are telling it to stay put. If you are concerned put it back in the cage and wait until tomorrow, maybe just doesn't want to leave home yet!
This message was edited Aug 5, 2008 11:56 AM
Thanks Shelia. I did indeed put it back in the cage. Then I put it on a plant on the porch. Still did not want to leave. So I went and put it on a zinnia again, because by this time, #4 had already taken off!!!! I think it needed some sun, because as soon as the sun came out for a few minutes, it left.
Now, i have two more emerged since this morning!!!
See! Once one comes out they all start poppin! Glad to hear #3 took off. I had one fall in water before it dried and I thought it was a goner. But nope. Just dried out and flew away. Whew!
I tell ya'!!! It's quite nerve wracking!
Only 3 more left!
Great, glad it found it's wings.
Let me see if I can find my pics. We've decided to leave the cats outside now because they aren't surviving at any better rate on the lanai. Some came out without completely formed wings. Don't know why. We have several devouring fennel and parsley now. Oh, they're black swallow tails.
Another one for you.
susan
One more.
I'm so excited we finally figured it all out. We have a backyard full of butterflies now and the humming birds are back too. Never can get a pic of them though.
The last pic is right before my daughter took him outside to the Pentas.
Susan
congratulations! I have two more that are going to chrysalis. I hope I have good luck again.
We have several more going into chrysallis outside also.
Do you have any idea why some of them don't completely chrysallis?
Some of the ones on the lanai got to maybe 90 percent and stopped,then they died. The one in the pics above chrysallised (sp) on a basil plant.
Susan
susan,
I'm sorry I really don't know, this was my first attempt and all were successful. (knock wood — I have two right now getting ready).