We have 3 black swallowtail cats that made their cocoons but have not emerged yet and it's been about 5 weeks now. In Ohio our weather is beginning to get cooler with fall coming fast. Will they stay overwinter?
Do Black Swallowtails cocoon over winter?
I have one also and have been told it could possibly overwinter at this point! Good Luck!!
It was discussed on this thread http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/896317/
It's a chrysalis, and yes they will overwinter. Most swallowtails overwinter, even here in FL when it's March and they don't seem to know it's spring, LOL!
Melanie
Thanks! I read the other thread - thanks for the link. I put them out on my unheated sunroom so they will know the outside temps.
I do think that being inside the house with heat does confuse them because I've had them eclose in the dead of winter. I would keep a watch on it tho and not assume that it will overwinter.
I just had one eclose today, for no particular reason, that pupated about 6 months ago. I had 3 chrysalis that I put where I could see them if they ever did surprise me. I knew it woud someday, but today was not a really good day to let it out since we were getting some rain from Ike.
...and another one decided today was a good day for a birthday! This is always a reminder to my dh why I'm keeping chrysalis on a shelf.
Mine is outside on the porch in it's box waiting...
Hey Paige....it is nice to see you posting...where have you been hiding? It is cold outside, but I guess they do start earlier than most.
I don't have any BSTs this year, but I did last year. This winter I have two GST(Giant Swallowtail), and I know one is very much alive. My son thought the cage was empty and move it out of his way when doing electrical in the shop this weekend. When I went to the shop I saw it an uprighted it and one started wiggling like crazy. The other was there a lot longer and never did anything. I mist them every week or two weeks for sure to keep them hydrated. Outside they have the rain.
Hey Sheila! I've switched roles with you and now I'm just working too much! I'm still volunteering with Master Naturalist and Native Plant Society so that keeps me occupied. I love it! How are you enjoying retirement?!
I hadn't really considered that my BST was early but was thinking about how late it was eclosing! I guess it could be either way. I've had some take even longer so I just never throw them out. I don't bother doing anything to them either, mainly because I forget about them.
I had a crazy Gulf Frit laying eggs on my dead passionvine a few weeks ago! My dh and I were outside on a beautiful day and I saw it and thought "you've got to be kidding!"! I found eggs but didn't bother to bring them in because if they hatched I wouldn't have anything for them. I figured if they did and could eat the brown vine, then have at it! lol I never did find the eggs again but oddly I did see a GF chrysalis today that I had not seen before across the yard by my door.
Well I wasn't very observant of my two chrysalis! One emerged and it wasn't a GST it was a BST! My bad! Anyway I released it and it headed straight for Josephines! lol! With fairly decent weather down here this week I guess it will be fine. Blooming plants are few and far inbetween in my garden. I am sure there are some early blooming weeds that will sustain it though. Hopefully it will find a mate.