Congratulations, Christie! I wouldn't keep her in the box any length of time, CERTAINLY don't wait until the others emerge - it might be weeks before that happens, and she'll be long dead!! If I were you, I'd just release her in the vicinity of your rue, and if you have a nectar plant near the host plant, that'd be even better, although don't expect to ever see her nectaring on it. Giant swallowtails get real anxious to leave very quickly, so when she starts flopping around, go ahead and release her or she'll lose the very tip of her tails. For whatever reason, it doesn't take GSTs that much longer than small butterflies to "hang around" before they're ready. She'll find a mate! :)
MissSherry

Congratulations, Christie! Do you grow just the rue, or do you also grow prickly ash for your GSTs?

Susan

I let it go but kept it long enough for the kids to see after school. I set it on my rue when I released it so maybe it will find its way back. I didn't see it the rest of the day though.
I bought two Graffiti Red lace pentas and a Dallas Red lantana. I had other swallowtails hanging around creeping phlox all day but the Giant Swallowtail flew right over that and disappeared. : (
I called it a "she" but really have no idea which one it was. I took a picture of it so I'll post later and see if someone can tell the difference.

Susan - I planted two rue plants last spring and they've grown a little but I'm hoping to find at least a couple more to add this year. I wanted prickly ash for GST's also and got five seedlings last year from a trader. One died after I planted it. The other four got completely defoliated by the GST cats and didn't leaf out again until this spring. I tried to switch the cats to rue when the prickly ash leaves ran out but they wouldn't eat it. Then they went ahead and pupated so I wasn't sure whether they were really ready. I guess at least one of them was.

My prickly ash is starting to leaf out again after that late freeze. They still seem very small and I'm betting they'll get defoliated again. Wish the GST's would let them get a little bigger first.

Christie, I had the Dallas Red lantana year before last and the Buckeyes were crazy about it. I think the PLs and other butterflies like it, too, but I just remember lots of Buckeyes. The Graffiti red pentas should be great as well - just not the butterfly series. I believe this is the one that the tersa sphinx moths devoured in late summer. I bought some baby pentas at the store the other day, but won't know what color they are until they bloom - just taking a chance since they were like $1 each. If not, I'll have to try to track down some red.

Sounds like your GSTs prefer the prickly ash over the Rue! Hee Hee. They are finicky, aren't they?

But, looks like things are doing well for you!

Susan

Christie,

This was my first year rearing butterflies. Although mine were Monarchs, I had the same experience when I let them go with my kids. I fully expected to see them flutter around the yard but it was ZOOM... out of sight in seconds! I read on another thread that they are just like children, so ungrateful for all we've done to raise them. hahaha. It was still an amazing and rewarding experience and I can't wait to do it again. I bet you'll see her again or at least one of her relatives. Maybe one of us will see her and you'll see one of mine. hee hee. :)

Congrats!

Carol

I think you're right Carol. I will just keep at it and hope I'll eventually see more.
This may be my last try with Pentas. They're always the same size at the end of the summer as when I first plant them and never have more than two flower clusters at a time. There must be a secret I don't know yet. I grew Butterfly Red last year and another dark pink one and never saw butterflies on them. The butterflies were all over the Butterfly Red at a display garden near here though. They just didn't like mine.

My lantana last year grew like gangbusters. It really impressed me. I've been watching for Miss Huff and haven't found it yet. They also had 'New Gold', something Cream that was pale yellow, Flame Improved and a couple others. I need to research which ones they like best.

Can anyone tell a male from a female?
Here's a pic:

{{gwi:461204}}

Here's a pic of the underneath side. This may not be as clear.
See any boy parts? lol

{{gwi:461205}}

Ohhhh, Christie....How beautiful. I wish I got them here.

I have hopes of one someday especially since there was a article in the local paper about how the changing climate is helping warm weather species move northward. David Wagner was quoted as saying we're seeing more species like PVS, Giant Swallowtails, and Red Banded Hairstreakes here in CT lately.

I say..Bring 'em on!

I hope you get 'em, too, Maryann!
If I had to guess, I'd say it's a female, Christie. Males have a wider bar across their backs, but the difference is so slight, it's hard to tell. Males have claspers on their abdomens, but I don't think you can see them except when they're mating. Whatever he/she is, he/she's a beauty!
MissSherry