I built it and they came! Pipevine Swallowtails

11 years ago

I planted a small dutchman's pipevine last summer and today, I found about 6 5th instar pipevine cats on it!

Just today I thought I saw a pipevine butterfly flying around for the first time, so I went to the vine and checked it and found all the caterpillars! they are eating the heck out of the vine, so I hope not too many more eggs get laid on it.

How far away will they go to pupate? How long do they pupate for?

My only concern is that the vine is growing up my chicken run. I'm concerned that the chickens might eat the leaves or a cat that might fall. I'll try to do something about that.

My chickens are very old and probably aren't into jumping very high, fortunately.

This is so exciting!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

butterflymomok
11 years ago
Once Pipevine Swallowtails find your pipevine, they will keep coming back and laying eggs until there isn't any vine left, and then they will lay eggs on the ground around the sprouts! They just don't know when to stop.

Can't imagine your chickens will like the taste of these guys or, for that matter, the looks!

Congrats!!

Sandy
catherinet
Original Author
11 years ago
Hmmmmm.......maybe I shouldn't be so happy??
Related Discussions
Another Pipevine Swallowtail - This One Attracted a Friend!
Q
Comments (1)
WOW! Such brilliant colors. Edna
...See More
First Pipevine Swallowtail Eggs and Wren's Nest
Q
Comments (9)
Wow, it looks like she left you the mother lode there, Sherry! ;-) I think the most I ever had in a bunch was about 24. They're my very favorite caterpillar to raise. I love to put a few lengths of vine in a big storage container and watch the cats scurry along on their way to somewhere that I guess they have in mind. They always make it look like it's urgent. Ha. That's a Carolina wren for ya, building a nest in such a strange place. One year I had a pair build a nest on one of the shelves in my workshop after those little opportunists sneaked in there a few days when I had the door open and made themselves right at home. I didn't shut the door again until after the babies fledged. I have bluebird houses stacked up in our corncrib and one year the Carolina wrens made a nest in one of them even with it turned upside down. My dad had one build a nest in his fishing net one yet. Out of all of the birds that I get here, I call them the most eccentric. :) They sure are cute little things and they love the peanut butter/cornmeal/shortening mix that I put out in a log feeder for them in the winter. Cathy
...See More
Pipevine swallowtail
Q
Comments (5)
What part of Florida do you live in cirenwitch? If you're in north or central Florida, you can get pipevine swallowtails, but I don't think they occur in south Florida - polydamas/goldrims DO occur in south Florida, though, also central Florida. Pipevine swallowtails don't thrive on the tropical aristolochias, so if you're in north or central Florida, the best vine for you to plant would be aristolochia tomentosa - it and a. durior/macrophylla are known as Dutchman's pipe. You won't likely find it at Home Depot, but if there are any native plant nurseries in your area, you might find it there. I've heard about ?Crowley's in the Sarasota area - they might carry it. I order mine from mail-order nurseries that specialize in native plants. Mail Order Natives in Lee, Florida, has it, but they don't start shipping until October, I think it is. Pine Ridge Gardens in Arkansas and Niche Gardens in North Carolina also carry it. MissSherry
...See More
Pipevine Swallowtails at last!
Q
Comments (5)
Congratulations, Jeff! They're my favorite cat to raise. They're so comical and I love to hear them eat. I waited several years before I got some PVST here, but I was glad that they waited awhile because I would never have had enough pipevine the first couple years to feed very many cats. Last year after I released them, they mated and laid eggs for yet another generation here, but this year after I raised them and released them, those ingrates left never to be seen again. Ha. I think I'm happy with one "brood" a year though. Even though I have a lot of pipevine, 200+ cats last year put a pretty big dent in it! Cathy
...See More
MissSherry
11 years ago
Ditto to what Sandy said! You can't believe what my pitiful 'vines' look like - I put that in quotes, because there's almost nothing left of what were once miles of pipevines. But I've sure got the pipevine swallowtails - they're everywhere! And they're laying eggs on the beginnings of new growth both on the ground and on the fence. I've been watering the vines, also fertilized a little, in hopes of getting more growth, but nothing is ever enough for these guys! I still love them, though. Is there anything more beautiful than a newly emerged male pipevine swallowtail?

Sherry
catherinet
Original Author
11 years ago
Oh My! I just checked the other pipevine trellis I have on the side of my house, in the shade......and there are 24 cats!!
I guess I should be careful what I wish for! I guess I won't be seeing any dutchman's pipes!
This is funny!
butterflymomok
11 years ago
Cathy,

I'm chuckling at your last post. I have so many PVs in the garden, and yes, they are beautiful. The Ironweed is blooming early, and the PVs are all over it. Guess I ought to get a pic, as the Ironweed has never been as beautiful as it is this year. I'll deadhead it so it can bloom at its normal late summer time.

You'll see the pipes in the spring before the butterflies arrive. It takes about 3 years for the plants to mature enough to flower. I had loads of flowers this year, but not one seed pod. And my vines, which are plentiful, are getting close to being defoliated! The serpentaria can't even leaf out as the PVs lay eggs as soon as there is any sign of growth.

Sandy
catherinet
Original Author
11 years ago
Nature seems to be turned upside down a bit this year. As far as plant growth, we're about in late June. Its unbelievable.
I think I'll probably have dreams tonight of seeing PV cats everywhere..............

I built it and they came! Pipevine Swallowtails

Comments (6)

butterflymomok

catherinet
Original Author

Related Discussions

MissSherry

catherinet
Original Author

butterflymomok

catherinet
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

I built it and they came! Pipevine Swallowtails

Comments (6)

butterflymomok

catherinetOriginal Author

Related Discussions

MissSherry

catherinetOriginal Author

butterflymomok

catherinetOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

catherinet
Original Author

catherinet
Original Author

catherinet
Original Author