sick swallowtails.
fighting8r
12 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (23)
jrcagle
12 years agofighting8r
12 years agoRelated Discussions
First Spicebush Swallowtail
Comments (10)My two spicebushes are growing in containers in my garden, and they're only about 2' - 3' tall, but that didn't stop the spicebush swallowtails from laying eggs on them. I raised the first two caterpillars myself in a cage on my porch by giving them sassafras, because that's so plentiful here. Your problem is more likely to be more cats than spicebush leaves, so, hopefully, you've got sassafras growing wild somewhere near you to give them. I had hoped after I took the first two spicebush cats to raise myself that they'd leave the two bushes alone and let them grow, but they must REALLY love spicebush! I plan to plant the bushes out in shady spots close to the hose, so if we have a dry spell - like now - I can water them. Sherry...See MoreSpicebush Swallowtail Host plants
Comments (2)Stick some leaves in and see if they will eat them. You might try it with just a couple in case they eat the leaves and get sick....See MoreIt's sick, I'm tellin' ya, it's SICK!!!
Comments (16)In my defense, I did leave plants with eggs and cats there. At least one of the women there knew what they were, so I knew they wouldn't be moidered ;) Shannon00: It's called Bowood Farms, and it's off of Olive close to where it intersects with Washington. Really nice, clean, and attractive place. All of their plants look great, especially impressive at this time of year. They are a bit pricey on some things, but I was fine with $2.95 for 4" pots of good looking stock. I have paid that for the little 2" pots in the past. (some of the parsley was a bit leggy, but the rest was ok, and as mentioned, the fennel was *really* nice.) I am wondering if all of my current chrysalids and eggs/cats will go into diapause. It seems early for them to do that, but I was certain some would eclose last week, and they're still sittin' tight. Here is a link that might be useful: Bowood Farms...See Moresick giant swallowtail caterpillars!!! HELP!!!
Comments (3)thank you for the information! I am hoping that they didn't eat enought to kill them, one of them seems to be doing better already, he's not excreting any greenish fluid anymore and his color is back to normal, he is moving around now too, and not falling over anymore, i am keeping their box completely clean and removing all their droppings as soon as i see them, i read somewhere that this may help, the other one still looks greenish, but he is moving around a little more, he is now able to stay upright some too, instead of just curled up on his side, I hope they can make it, I feel so terrible for them, they haven't had an easy time, almost from the day I saw them, there has been heavy rain everyday except for past day and a half, and wind, they made it through all of that and now they are having to deal with this! one of the other caterpillars actually made it to pupa stage, sunday, it was amazing to watch the chrysalis form. but yesterday evening, I checked the tree, and it was gone, the little strands of silk were there and just dangling, i guess a bird got it, I don't know. I went ahead and the last two inside as well, they both seem healthy, and i don't think they ate any leaves off of the new tree, so hopefully they will stay healthy and survive and become butterflies. Do you happen to know of anywhere online where I can order host plants for these caterpillars that would be safe to feed them? thanks again for replying, I really appreciate it!...See Morebananasinohio
12 years agofighting8r
12 years agoMissSherry
12 years agobananasinohio
12 years agofighting8r
12 years agobananasinohio
12 years agofighting8r
12 years agochristie_sw_mo
12 years agofighting8r
12 years agochristie_sw_mo
12 years agobananasinohio
12 years agofighting8r
12 years agomytabbycat
12 years agotdogmom
12 years agoCanny
10 years agobananasinohio
10 years agoLeafhead
10 years agoBarbara Karwhite
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agofsuchristy
3 years agoMars SC Zone 8b Mars
3 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIESGarden for Wildlife to Reap Rich Rewards
When you plant with animals and insects in mind, you make gardening easier, the planet healthier and yourself more present
Full StoryGARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIESGardening for the Bees, and Why It’s a Good Thing
When you discover how hard bees work for our food supply, you may never garden without them in mind again
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGBe a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too
Track butterflies, study birds, capture stars ... when you aid monitoring efforts, you’re lending Mother Nature a hand
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESLessons in the Rewards of Selfless Gardening
Let go of gardening for your own vision and watch the garden’s own true vision come forth
Full StoryMore Discussions
bananasinohio