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Butterfly Garden

SBS and wafer ash

16 years ago

My spicebush cat is eating the Ptelea trifoliata leaves I gave it.Has anyone else tried this? I've heard they will use tuliptree and prickly ash,but have not tried these yet.
MissSherry,did you get my email about the GST chrysalids?I think your inbox is full or they're being sent to the junkmail box.

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Comments (7)

butterflyman
16 years ago
Spicebush will also use Sassafras as a host plant.

If I run out of Spicebush I may try both the Tulip tree and Ptelea trifoliata, since I have both.
mboston_gw
16 years ago
They eat my CAmphor - actually prefer it over my Redbay, which I planted for them!
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Yes, they've used mine many times, but if I find eggs on it, I usually cut out the part of the leaf with the egg on it and transfer it to wild black cherry, which I've put in a cage to raise myself. I don't have that much wafer ash, and I don't want to use it for caterpillars that do so well on wild black cherry, which is the most common place I find tiger eggs and/or cats - I like to save wafer ash for the giant swallowtails. I have raised them on it, though, when I found caterpillars on it, and they grow quickly. It's a great plant, but it's never been easy for me to grow. This spring, slugs have been eating the leaves! :( Sherry
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MissSherry
16 years ago
No, I didn't get your e-mail Dan. I got the picture of the polyphemus moth, but nothing else. I haven't checked my e-mail this morning, though. I agree that something's going on with my new server - I think they're junking some e-mails.
I've found tiger swallowtail eggs on my pteleas, which I raised to maturity on it, but I've never found any spicebush eggs - that's interesting! The giant swallowtails sure love it!
MissSherry
MissSherry
16 years ago
Dan and others, I changed the e-mail address on my Garden Web page back to the old one, which I still have - if you want to e-mail me, you should be able to get through by going through the Garden Web.
MissSherry
cecropia
Original Author
16 years ago
I don't think they will lay eggs on wafer ash,and am not sure the cats can be raised to maturity on it.
aggscott
16 years ago
When I was up in the woods yesterday I could have sworn I found one of these trees-is that possible in PA?

I would stop and look at it like this is something..but what?

Looks like I have to take the camera up and get some picture-I'll post them and ask the experts-they'll know!

Aggie
cecropia
Original Author
16 years ago
Aggie,yes it's quite possible you saw a wafer ash,but it also could have been something that looks similar...like a boxelder.One way to find out is by crushing the leaves and smelling them.You'll immediately see why it's nickname is "skunk tree!"

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