skip to main content

Butterfly Garden

This is a really long shot as far as identifying goes.

11 years ago

Okay, thinking caps needed. Twice last year and once yesterday, I caught a glimpse of a butterfly. I have never seen this one resting or feeding so unfortunately I can't give a detailed description. I'd love to find out what it is and maybe plant accordingly, even just for the reason that it bugs me to not be able to put a name to it. Here goes....

Quick moving (dive bombed my husband's head yesterday so possibly territorial as well?)

About the size of a monarch

Hind wings were smooth and angled (as best I could see)

With the buterfly being back-lit by late afternoon sun, it appears to be red/maroon/deep reddish mahogany in color.

It was in my garden which is in southern NJ (right on the edge of Camden county, just a few minutes away from Gloucester county.) I am also not far from Philadelphia, so this might be something seen in southeastern PA. I have a golf course across the street so wide open space, there is a wooded park in close proximity with a creek and some marshy spots.(in case environmental clues help.)

Any brainstorming/ideas are welcome, even far fetched. I have tried the discover life site and didn't really see anything close (but I don't always have success there.)

Also, thanks to everyone, whether I have communicated with you or not, for all the tips and stories you tell here. I have, for the first time, 7 monarch chrysalids! The transformation process was amazing, and I can't wait to see if and when these guys emerge. Very exciting!

-Sandy.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

imabirdnut
11 years ago
Sandy...if it isn't a monarch...maybe a Viceroy??? They are definitely in your area & the few I've seen are a deeper red than the monarchs.
I look forward to seeing what other...more expert butterfly raisers say!!!???
Take care,
Lila
butterflymomok
11 years ago
What you have described makes me think Goatweed Leafwing. I'm not sure that they are in your area; however, the habitat you described sounds like where they are found. They lay eggs on croton and perch in trees. They will go after something orange. Check out the photos and see what you think.

I have lots of the caterpillars feeding on croton that I planted in my BY. I live in Oklahoma, though, where they are abundant.

Sandy from OK
Related Discussions
Best Shots of the year so far..
Q
Comments (7)
Very nice. The colors in your garden are beautiful, the orange Modern Sunrise rose is what I have been looking for.
...See More
When GM goes too far
Q
Comments (24)
Althea, I never said either of you were extremists. The only thing I said was that you had different often polar views on the issue. I may be wrong as I don't know each of you in person, but your view on the topic was that the chemicals should not have been there in the first place and Monte's was more of a "wait and let's get more evidence and see how much is bad first". To me, they appeared to be opposites. My point was that no matter which view you took (which again, appeared to be polar opposites to me), the parties responsible should clean it up to the condition that they inherited it, no more. My beliefs are more imbedded in personal and corporate responsibility rather than taking sides. If someone pollutes groundwater or the soil, they should be responsible for cleaning it up, no matter the cost or who the work was done for. Nothing more. Does that clarify it enough?
...See More
This is a long shot but here it goes
Q
Comments (10)
I didn't see any pictures of the tent in the links but thanks so much for trying. I did go to the Mindy Weiss website and send and email asking if she would be willing to send me a photo of the tent if she still had it. Longshot but doesn't hurt to try. Thanks again for all your help, I really appreciate it. :)
...See More
When a house you have liked from a far goes on the market oh boy
Q
Comments (26)
I think assessments are based on a 1/3 retail value but our last batch was ten years ago. Reassessments are this year and it should increase a bit but it is still over priced, should be 20,000,000 most likely. from our boat as a child I do not remember the roof so orange. When we sail the area now it has been that color though for years. My friends have an island house that was built in the 20s in the same cluster. Their wood work is still stained. I think this was more of a sea captain manse style originally. I always think of the ghost and Mrs Meir when I image the interior of old island houses. I think that this is why when people consider light, airy blue and white interiors as coastal I cringe. I have grown up with an image of water homes being dark and dreamy not light and airy.
...See More
christie_sw_mo
11 years ago
My guess is a really long shot too...
I'm trying to think of something that might have a maroonish cast. Could that be it a Goatweed Leafwing or a Mourning Cloak?
MissSherry
11 years ago
If it's maroon, I know of no other butterfly it could be but a mourning cloak.

Sherry
monkeybelle
Original Author
11 years ago
The Goatweed Leafwing looks like the right shape and color, but I can't find any reference to them living this far up the east coast, but they are found in Virginia and that's just a couple hours away. Kind of a stretch though but it had been an exceptionally mild winter. The description of their flight pattern matches too.

I had thought maybe Viceroy or Mourning Cloak too but they don't seem quite right. The wings look more curved than what I saw but then again it happened so fast. Although they are more than welcome to come to my yard and prove me wrong!

I saw it again in my neighbor's yard and just could not get to my camera in time. So frustrating! The color was the same, red like a maple leaf in autumn. Very pretty. I'll just keep stalking the yard!!!
monkeybelle
Original Author
11 years ago
...but in the event that it is a mourning cloak, they prefer rotting fruit? Perhaps I can find some and set a dish out...
bananasinohio
11 years ago
What trees do you have in the yard/neighborhood?

When we are surveying in the woods, the butterflies that tend to check us out are hackberry and tawny emperors, mourning cloak, commas, and question marks.

- Elisabeth
monkeybelle
Original Author
11 years ago
We have a lot of maples. There must have been a sale on maple when the area was being developed, because nearly every property has 2-3 maple trees. In the general area there are also a lot of pine, oak, and beech.

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Urban Goes Exotic in a Montreal Artist's Home

By Laura Garner

Found treasures from around the world mix with reinvented furnishings and natural artifacts in this amazingly creative space

KITCHEN DESIGN Room of the Day: Reconfigured Kitchen Goes From Bland to Glam

By Mary Jo Bowling

An interior designer gives this San Francisco-area cooking space more character and improved function

PORCH OF THE WEEK A Wraparound Goes From Unwelcoming to Irresistible

By Becky Harris

Renovating the porch adds neighborliness and charm to this 1908 Florida home

MOVING Relocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move

By Laura Gaskill

Trash bags, houseplants and a good cry all have their role when it comes to this major life change

KITCHEN ISLANDS What to Consider With an Extra-Long Kitchen Island

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

More prep, seating and storage space? Check. But you’ll need to factor in traffic flow, seams and more when designing a long island

INSIDE HOUZZ How Much Does a Remodel Cost, and How Long Does It Take?

By Erin Carlyle

The 2016 Houzz & Home survey asked 120,000 Houzzers about their renovation projects. Here’s what they said

DECORATING GUIDES Improving a Rental: Great Ideas for the Short and Long Haul

By Laura Gaskill

Don't settle for bland or blech just because you rent. Make your home feel more like you with these improvements from minor to major

DECORATING GUIDES Ask an Expert: How to Decorate a Long, Narrow Room

Distract attention away from an awkward room shape and create a pleasing design using these pro tips

COLOR 8 Reasons to Paint Your Interior Trim Black

By Mitchell Parker

Hide imperfections, energize a space, highlight a view and more with a little bit of darkness that goes a long way

DECORATING GUIDES 8 Qualities of Great Interior Design

By The Inman Company

We identify some elusive attributes of excellent interiors to get you past "I know it when I see it"

Sponsored

Nova Design Build

Custom Premiere Design-Build Contractor | Hilliard, OH

More Discussions

?what to do with this little guy?

3