A Wish Came True Today!

14 years ago

I found a Red Spotted Purple in the garden today. At first I thought it was the Return of the Pipevine Swallowtail, and then I realized it did not have tails and the coloration was slightly different. It kept hanging around the bird bath. It was a pretty faded specimen, but boy was I happy to see it.

How do you tell the males from the females?

Susan

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Comments (7)

butterflymomok
14 years ago
Oh, Susan! How exciting! I bet you find some more if you have one. They love wild black cherry trees for egg laying. They do look a lot like a Pipevine unless you really look close for those tails. I remember the first time I saw one--I thought they were so incredibly beautiful. They also like to feed on rotten fruit. One time I made some butterfly brew with beer, rotten fruit, etc. A RSP spent so much time at the dish that I think it got drunk! It couldn't fly straight!

Sandy
Lisa_H OK
14 years ago
Yay Susan!!!

I had a chance to stop by the Edmond Farmer's Market today and pick up a nice selection of plants from Wild Things. I ended up with some gomphocarpus physocarpus (oscar milkweed) (hairy balls?)

I didn't research them before I stuck them in the ground. Oops. Do they really get to be 6 feet tall? I'll have to move them, they are at the bottom of my driveway.

Lisa
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MissSherry
14 years ago
Congrats, Susan!
Around here they use wild black cherry almost exclusively - on rare occasions they'll use willows or crabapples.
I've never known how to tell the females from the males. With most butterflies, the females are a little bigger, so whenever I release one that's on the large side, I assume it's a female, and if it's smallish, I figure it's a male - most are medium sized, though, so I usually don't have a clue.
Here's a picture of a pair mating - females are usually on the bottom, so I guess that's her below, but I can't see any difference - maybe you can pick up something -
{{gwi:476696}}
Sherry
susanlynne48
Original Author
14 years ago
I can't really see the difference, MissSherry, but thanks for posting that pic!

Sandy, this butterfly did appear to be somewhat "tipsy". It may have been nectaring on the fruit feeder for awhile before I found it. It was in the same vicinity. The feeder hangs practically right above the "watering hole" and the thing kept getting so close to the water as it "stumbled" around, I thought it was going to fall in. I was watching it closely in case that happened so I could rescue it.

I'll check the Wild Cherry leaves to see if she(?) left any eggs.

I have just one Tiger Swallowtail left, but it is probably 3rd or 4th instar by now. It has developed those big beautiful eyes and is pretty good sized. Such a fascinating caterpillar!

We have had so much rain and cloudy weather - the sun did not make an appearance at all yesterday - I was surprised to see any butterflies out at all. But the QMs, RAs, and HEs were out on the feeder, so I guess no sun does not deter them much.

Thanks everybody!

Susan
bernergrrl
13 years ago
Susan! That is so wonderful you finally got a RSP--know you've been wanting see one for so long and never thought one would come to your yard. Patience pays off!
tdogmom
13 years ago
How fantastic! I am so happy for you. :) and, jealous... tee-hee! Be sure to take lots and lots of pictures!!!!
butterflymomok
13 years ago
Susan,

I'm postponing coming to OKC until early next week. I'm struggling to get everything ready for the Audubon BY Habitat tour this weekend. Also, went to doctor yesterday. Several ticks hitch-hiked home with me when I went looking for Monarch eggs. Even though none were attached very long, one was apparently infected with Lyme's disease. I'm now on antibiotics, I developed the tell-tale Bull's eye on Monday evening. Ticks are going to be bad this year.

Sandy