Hi, All,
Been working too much so I haven't been online much as of late.
I was wondering.... are Polydamas Swallowtails like the Eastern BSTs in that they have a "season" here in Florida?
I only have the BSTs from around Feb - Oct. and have had quite a few pupas that overwintered. I was wondering if the Polys do the same thing. I am still finding a ton of cats and eggs and bringing them in. Just wondered if I can expect to overwinter those, too.
thanks,
Terrie
Polydamas question
Terrie,
I'm beginning to believe that Polydamas are neverending. My mother actually released one today. I still have tons of eggs and caterpillars. I volunteer at the Museum of Science and Industry up here where I raise cats for the butterfly exhibit. We still have tons and tons of Polydamas. This is also a boom time for Zebra Swallowtails. Last year, I was running around one evening in December rounding up caterpillars to save them from our first frost. The only time I didn't have caterpillars was January and February. Considering you're a zone below me, you may get them year round!
Melanie
Terrie, I have tons of Polys too. I have about 20 still eating in the cage and 4 pupated. I do hope they eclose next year because the nights are getting chilly here. Tomorrow the days will be back in the 80's but it's not a reliable temp.
I stilll have about 15 BSTs that pupated in July....those guys do their own thing don't they? I don't know what schedule they follow!
I have one in the cage now that needs to be released tomorrow. And I released 7 polys over the weekend. I have at least 20+ cats -- mostly 1st and 2nd instars in one cage. I brought eggs in over the weekend, and didn't get a chance to look today. I'm still seeing them flying in my garden. I'll be curious to see if they go away for a few months like the BSTs.
I had two of my cages tied up with the BSTs last winter. Haven't seen any of those lately, though.
Now that my Christmas Cassia is blooming I'm finding a bunch of sulfurs. I brought in 13 cats on Sat.
Things don't seem to slow down much over the winter, do they? If i remember correctly I seem to have mostly the GFs all year.
Thanks, all,
Terrie